2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 119 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Rice University tops our 2027 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $51,110. Rice University graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
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Texas A And M University College Station is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. About 693 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $42,358 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,414.
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A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 376 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,583 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans.
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University Of Arizona 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 Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $50,834 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861.
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Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 124 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $41,229. Students borrow a median of $20,475 to complete this degree.
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Texas Christian University came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $60,035 in their early career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
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Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 156 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,436 early in their careers. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,203 in student loans.
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Northern Arizona University placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 230 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $28,793 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $19,700 in student loans.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,903 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657.
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Texas Womans University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 130 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $43,770 early in their careers. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans.
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Texas Tech University landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 170 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $38,090 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,490.
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Saint Edwards University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Saint Edwards University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,001 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,222 to complete this degree.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 193 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $35,443 in the first couple years of their career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,176 in student loans.
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University Of Tulsa came in at #14 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tulsa. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 68 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Tulsa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Tulsa earn around $62,482 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete this degree.
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Tarleton State University placed #15 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 375 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $36,117. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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Texas State University San Marcos ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 421 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,811 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,200.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 198 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $30,499 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,023 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #18 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 79 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $33,957 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,292 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Texas earned the #19 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 270 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,636 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $25,200 in student loans.
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Pima Community College landed the #20 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. About 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,977 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete this degree.
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West Texas A And M University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Canyon. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. West Texas A And M University awarded about 71 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,313 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
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University Of Houston came in at #22 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 365 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,968 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,298.
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Baylor University earned the #23 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baylor University 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 $38,803 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans.
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Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #24 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University San Antonio awarded about 78 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $32,708 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,690 to complete this degree.
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Blinn College earned the #25 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Blinn College awarded about 90 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Typical student debt for the program is $10,875.
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Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 119 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.
