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2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

34 Colleges in the United States
2,422 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,974 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 34 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 the Rocky Mountains Region

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

Our analysis ranked Colorado State University Fort Collins the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 357 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,171 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,526 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins

2

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Colorado Boulder, which ranked #2. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 11 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 Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Colorado Boulder

3

Montana State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bozeman. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Montana State University awarded about 123 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $47,703 in their early career. Montana State University graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Montana State University

4
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Regis University awarded about 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Regis University

5

Utah Valley University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 235 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,905 in their early career. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $15,252 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Utah Valley University

6

Southern Utah University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Utah University awarded about 118 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $30,092 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,352. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Southern Utah University

7

Utah State University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Utah State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $35,079. Typical student debt for the program is $16,191. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Utah State University

8

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 282 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $25,857. Typical student debt for the program is $9,354. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Brigham Young University Provo

9
The College Of Idaho crest
The College Of Idaho
Caldwell, ID

The College Of Idaho placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Caldwell. The College Of Idaho graduates 62% of students within six years. About 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at The College Of Idaho in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The College Of Idaho earn a median of $30,968 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,789 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at The College Of Idaho

10

University Of Wyoming placed #10 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. University Of Wyoming awarded about 92 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 Wyoming earn around $31,326 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wyoming graduates carry a median of $22,101 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Wyoming

11

Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates 31% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State College Of Denver in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $41,161 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,292. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Metropolitan State College Of Denver

12

Weber State University earned the #12 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ogden. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 48 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Weber State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $39,059. Typical student debt for the program is $19,588. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Weber State University

13
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. About 23 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Salt Lake Community College

14

University Of Northern Colorado placed #14 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Greeley. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 144 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Northern Colorado earn around $40,518 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,450 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Northern Colorado

15

Lewis Clark State College landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lewis Clark State College awarded about 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $33,176 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,475 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Lewis Clark State College

16

Aims Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Aims Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $45,909 in their early career. Aims Community College graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Aims Community College

17
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #17 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Utah awarded about 60 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 Utah earn around $37,354 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,594 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Utah

18

Boise State University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 23 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Boise State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $35,617 early in their careers. Boise State University graduates carry a median of $22,524 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Boise State University

19

Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dixie State College Of Utah awarded about 117 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $30,912. Dixie State College Of Utah graduates carry a median of $18,437 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Dixie State College Of Utah

20

Adams State College placed #20 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Alamosa. About 32% of students finish within six years. About 51 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Adams State College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $30,045 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,451. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Adams State College

21

The University Of Montana Western earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small public university is located in the town of Dillon. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Montana Western awarded about 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,924 in their early career. The University Of Montana Western graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at The University Of Montana Western

22
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College placed #22 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 165 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Mesa State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,253 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Mesa State College

23

University Of Idaho landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Idaho in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Idaho earn around $27,484 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Idaho

24

Montana State University Billings earned the #24 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Billings. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University Billings in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Montana State University Billings earn around $48,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,465. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Montana State University Billings

25

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #25 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Brigham Young University Idaho graduates 50% of students within six years. About 49 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Idaho in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $27,961 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,567. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Brigham Young University Idaho

Rest of the Top 34 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education:

26
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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