2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in New Mexico
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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 New Mexico
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
Western New Mexico University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Western New Mexico University graduates 26% of students within six years. About 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Western New Mexico University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,425.
Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Western New Mexico University
New Mexico State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #2. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 75 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $23,701 in their early career. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from New Mexico State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. There were roughly 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans.
Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Central New Mexico Community College
University Of The Southwest is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. University Of The Southwest graduates 17% of students within six years. University Of The Southwest awarded about 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $43,873 in their early career. University Of The Southwest graduates carry a median of $28,011 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of The Southwest
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 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.
