2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Florida
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Florida.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 464 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $44,798 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,707.
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A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. About 465 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. Typical student debt for the program is $21,620.
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Florida State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 300 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $34,630 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
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University Of Miami came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 130 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $46,517. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of North Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 76 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $33,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. About 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,249. Typical student debt for the program is $21,829.
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Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 57% of students finish within six years. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 55 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Florida Online came in at #8 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Florida Online awarded about 97 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 Florida Online earn around $39,717 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete this degree.
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Florida International University came in at #9 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 89 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Florida International University earn around $34,860 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
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Florida Atlantic University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Boca Raton. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 186 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $40,682 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans.
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Florida Southern College landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 11 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida Southern College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $48,665 early in their careers. Florida Southern College graduates carry a median of $25,357 in student loans.
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The University Of West Florida came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Pensacola. The University Of West Florida graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 144 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of West Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $28,643 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,188.
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Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Palm Beach. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earn a median of $54,317 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Tampa came in at #14 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. The University Of Tampa awarded about 82 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from The University Of Tampa earn around $30,554 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Saint Leo University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Leo University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,962 in their early career. Saint Leo University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Northwest Florida State College landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Northwest Florida State 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 Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,463. Typical student debt for the program is $11,566.
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Flagler College St Augustine came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Flagler College St Augustine in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $29,600 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,547.
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Nova Southeastern University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $23,136 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,560 to complete this degree.
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Jacksonville University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Jacksonville University earn around $40,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Lynn University landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lynn University awarded about 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $50,569 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,391 to complete this degree.
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Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #21 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 154 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $29,434 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,888.
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Southeastern University landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lakeland. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 69 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Southeastern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $25,994. Typical student debt for the program is $25,343.
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Barry University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Miami. About 37% of students finish within six years. About 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Barry University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Barry University earn around $40,439 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,180 to complete this degree.
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Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University came in at #24 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $36,850. Students borrow a median of $30,494 to complete this degree.
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Bethune Cookman University placed #25 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. About 30% of students finish within six years. About 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Bethune Cookman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Bethune Cookman University earn around $25,459 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 29 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:
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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 · 38 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.
