2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Texas
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 76 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 Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Texas.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 school for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $51,110 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
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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. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,414 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 376 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $35,583. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete this degree.
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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 #4. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 124 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $41,229 in their early career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,475 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete this degree.
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Texas Womans University came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 130 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $43,770 in their early career. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans.
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Texas Tech University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Texas Tech University awarded about 170 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $38,090. Typical student debt for the program is $23,490.
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Saint Edwards University landed the #8 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. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. Saint Edwards University awarded about 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $36,001. Students borrow a median of $22,222 to complete this degree.
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Tarleton State University landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Texas State University San Marcos came in at #10 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 421 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,811 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,200.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 198 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $30,499 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,023 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. About 79 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $33,957. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates carry a median of $18,292 in student loans.
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University Of North Texas ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 270 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of North Texas earn around $35,636 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $25,200 in student loans.
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West Texas A And M University came in at #14 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. 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. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $40,313 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Houston ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 365 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $35,968 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,298 to complete this degree.
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Baylor University came in at #16 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 170 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $38,803 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,997.
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Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #17 spot 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. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 78 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University San Antonio in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,690.
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Blinn College placed #18 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. About 90 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Blinn College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Blinn College graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans.
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East Texas Baptist University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Marshall, East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at East Texas Baptist University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of East Texas Baptist University earn a median of $44,734 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,625.
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South Texas College earned the #20 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Texas College awarded about 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $22,699 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $4,500.
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Parker University earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Parker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Parker University awarded about 63 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $46,758 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,988 to complete this degree.
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Texas A And M University Commerce placed #22 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University Commerce 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 $45,653 in their early career. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans.
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Sam Houston State University came in at #23 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 147 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $37,005. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
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Stephen F Austin State University placed #24 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 115 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $37,000 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,995.
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Abilene Christian University earned the #25 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $27,898 early in their careers. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans.
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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 list is compiled 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 · 76 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.