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

14 Colleges in the United States
1,954 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$37,558 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.

College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Georgia.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Leading the list is Emory University, our #1 school for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 62 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $37,974 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,883 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Emory University

2

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 338 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,359 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Georgia

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of North Georgia one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the town of Dahlonega. About 50% of students finish within six years. University Of North Georgia awarded about 170 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $42,341 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of North Georgia

4

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Mercer University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Mercer University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $56,699 early in their careers. Mercer University graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Mercer University

5

Georgia College And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgia College And State University awarded about 54 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $29,203 early in their careers. Georgia College And State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Georgia College And State University

6

Georgia Southern University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 361 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Southern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $38,320 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,327. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Georgia Southern University

7
Covenant College crest
Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, GA

Covenant College placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lookout Mountain. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 11 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Covenant College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Covenant College generally make around $37,404. Typical student debt for the program is $23,700. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Covenant College

8
Berry College crest
Berry College
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 37 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Berry College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Berry College generally make around $25,091. Berry College graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Berry College

9

Georgia State University placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Georgia State University earn around $45,380 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,091. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Georgia State University

10

Kennesaw State University earned the #10 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kennesaw State University awarded about 296 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $34,369 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Kennesaw State University

11
Georgia Gwinnett College crest
Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College placed #11 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Gwinnett College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $55,992 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,280. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Georgia Gwinnett College

12

University Of West Georgia landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Carrollton. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 77 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of West Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of West Georgia earn around $31,492 in the first couple years of their career. University Of West Georgia graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of West Georgia

13

Georgia Military College Milledgeville placed #13 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. About 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Georgia Military College Milledgeville in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $29,788 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,587 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Georgia Military College Milledgeville

14

Middle Georgia State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. There were roughly 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Middle Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Middle Georgia State University earn around $48,207 in the first couple years of their career. Middle Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Middle Georgia State University

15
Thomas University crest
Thomas University
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University earned the #15 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Thomasville. Thomas University graduates 7% of students within six years. About 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Thomas University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $59,773 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,454. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Thomas University

16
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University came in at #16 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Augusta. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 87 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Augusta University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Augusta University earn around $27,490 in the first couple years of their career. Augusta University graduates carry a median of $26,031 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Augusta University

17

South Georgia Technical College placed #17 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. South Georgia Technical College awarded about 32 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Typical student debt for the program is $10,423. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at South Georgia Technical College

18
Young Harris College crest
Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Young Harris College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $24,689. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Young Harris College

19
Life University crest
Life University
Marietta, GA

Life University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Life University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Marietta. Life University graduates 38% of students within six years. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Life University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Life University generally make around $41,274. Students borrow a median of $27,865 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Life University

20

Augusta Technical College earned the #20 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Augusta. About 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Augusta Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Augusta Technical College generally make around $41,892. Augusta Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Augusta Technical College

21

Georgia Southwestern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Georgia Southwestern State University graduates 41% of students within six years. About 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Georgia Southwestern State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $32,709 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Georgia Southwestern State University

22

Shorter University came in at #22 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 37% of students finish within six years. About 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Shorter University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Shorter University generally make around $24,291. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Shorter University

23

Reinhardt University placed #23 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Reinhardt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Waleska. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Reinhardt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Reinhardt University generally make around $31,900. Reinhardt University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Reinhardt University

24

Valdosta State University landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Valdosta. About 42% of students finish within six years. Valdosta State University awarded about 23 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $23,364 in their early career. Valdosta State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Valdosta State University

25
Lagrange College crest
Lagrange College
Lagrange, GA

Lagrange College came in at #25 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lagrange. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lagrange College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Lagrange College earn around $52,126 in the first couple years of their career. Lagrange College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Lagrange College

Rest of the Top 29 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies ranking:

26
27
Emmanuel College Georgia crest
Emmanuel College Georgia
Franklin Springs, GA
28
Morehouse College crest
Morehouse College
Atlanta, GA
29

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

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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