2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 59 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
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. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. About 301 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $35,171 early in their careers. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $21,526 in student loans.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins
A rank of #2 makes Utah State University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 202 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 $50,348. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete this degree.
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Regis University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 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 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Regis University earn around $72,028 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete this degree.
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Utah Valley University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. Utah Valley University awarded about 232 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $31,905. Typical student debt for the program is $15,252.
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The College Of Idaho came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The College Of Idaho awarded about 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The College Of Idaho earn a median of $30,968 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,789.
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University Of Wyoming came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. About 59% of students finish within six years. University Of Wyoming awarded about 85 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $31,326 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,101 to complete this degree.
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Brigham Young University Provo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Brigham Young University Provo graduates 81% of students within six years. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 269 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $25,779. Typical student debt for the program is $9,354.
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Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Denver. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Metropolitan State College Of Denver in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn around $41,162 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,292.
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Montana State University earned the #9 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bozeman. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,635.
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Southern Utah University earned the #10 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Southern Utah University graduates 50% of students within six years. Southern Utah University awarded about 104 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,092 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,352 to complete this degree.
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Salt Lake Community College landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. About 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $42,031 in the first couple years of their career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans.
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University Of Northern Colorado placed #12 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 139 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,463 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,450.
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Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Saint George. Dixie State College Of Utah graduates 28% of students within six years. Dixie State College Of Utah awarded about 137 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,912 in their early career. Dixie State College Of Utah graduates carry a median of $18,437 in student loans.
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Boise State University came in at #14 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boise State University awarded about 32 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,617 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,524.
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Weber State University landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ogden. Weber State University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 41 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. Weber State University graduates carry a median of $19,588 in student loans.
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Lewis Clark State College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Lewis Clark State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $33,176. Lewis Clark State College graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans.
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Adams State College came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Adams State College in the most recent data 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.
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The University Of Montana Western landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Montana Western in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. The University Of Montana Western graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans.
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Red Rocks Community College placed #19 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Red Rocks Community College awarded about 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete this degree.
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Mesa State College placed #20 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. Mesa State College awarded about 150 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data 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.
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University Of Great Falls came in at #21 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls. About 21% of students finish within six years. University Of Great Falls awarded about 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Great Falls earn a median of $104,670 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,847.
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Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #22 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. About 50% of students finish within six years. Brigham Young University Idaho awarded about 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Brigham Young University Idaho earn around $27,961 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete this degree.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Brigham Young University Idaho
University Of Utah ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Salt Lake City. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $37,628. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $19,594 in student loans.
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Fort Lewis College earned the #24 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Durango. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. About 52 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Fort Lewis College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $24,431 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
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Montana State University Billings landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University Billings in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,465.
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Rest of the Top 30 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 59 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.
