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2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

123 Colleges in the United States
6,026 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$42,479 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 123 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 the The Plains States Region

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

1

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #2 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kansas awarded about 314 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $33,891. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Kansas

3

Saint Louis University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. About 100 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $65,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,316. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Saint Louis University Main Campus

4

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 167 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $38,725 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Missouri Columbia

5

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 109 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,050 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,064 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

6
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. Drake University awarded about 11 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $56,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Drake University

7
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 619 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $32,737 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,863. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Iowa

8

Iowa State University landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Iowa State University awarded about 210 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,425. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Iowa State University

9

University Of South Dakota ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 101 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $51,566 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of South Dakota

10

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #10 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 84 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $33,055. Typical student debt for the program is $23,629. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

11

University Of North Dakota earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 68 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 North Dakota earn around $64,378 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of North Dakota

12
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Hamline University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $48,679. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Hamline University

13

North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 59 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $36,646 in the first couple years of their career. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at North Dakota State University Main Campus

14

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #14 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 158 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $42,351 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $24,936 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Minnesota State University Mankato

15

University Of Northern Iowa placed #15 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $37,949 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,538. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Northern Iowa

16

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,919 in their early career. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Bethel University Minnesota

17
Mount Mercy University crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Mount Mercy University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Mount Mercy University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $50,431. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Mount Mercy University

18

Augustana College South Dakota came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. Augustana College South Dakota awarded about 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $50,088. Augustana College South Dakota graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Augustana College South Dakota

19
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Rockhurst University awarded about 44 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Rockhurst University earn around $70,849 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Rockhurst University

20

Winona State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Winona State University awarded about 65 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Winona State University earn around $41,655 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,431. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Winona State University

21

Missouri State University Springfield placed #21 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 150 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $29,758 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Missouri State University Springfield

22

Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #22 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 61 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $32,480 early in their careers. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Maryville University Of Saint Louis

23

Pittsburg State University placed #23 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Pittsburg State University graduates 51% of students within six years. About 61 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,360 in their early career. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $24,758 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Pittsburg State University

24

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $53,079 in their early career. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Missouri St Louis

25

Doane College Crete placed #25 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Doane College Crete in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $53,500 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,802 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Doane College Crete

Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:

26
27
28
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
29
30
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
31
32
33
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
34
35
Tabor College crest
Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS
36
37
38
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
39
Jamestown College crest
Jamestown College
Jamestown, ND
40
41
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
42
43
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA
44
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, IA
45
46
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA
47
48
49
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO
50

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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 · 123 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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