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2027 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Kansas

20 Colleges in the United States
866 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,573 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.

What’s on this page:

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

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

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Our analysis ranked University Of Kansas the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 314 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,891 early in their careers. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Kansas

2

Pittsburg State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 61 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $36,360 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,758. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Pittsburg State University

3
Tabor College crest
Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS

A rank of #3 makes Tabor College one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Tabor College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Tabor College

4

A rank of #4 makes Midamerica Nazarene University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Olathe. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Midamerica Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $63,799. Midamerica Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Midamerica Nazarene University

5
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $46,255. Typical student debt for the program is $26,798. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Benedictine College

6

Bethel College North Newton earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of North Newton, Bethel College North Newton is a small private not-for-profit institution. Bethel College North Newton graduates 37% of students within six years. Bethel College North Newton awarded about 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bethel College North Newton earn a median of $51,624 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Bethel College North Newton

7

Wichita State University earned the #7 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,774 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Wichita State University

8
Baker University crest
Baker University
Baldwin City, KS

Baker University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Baldwin City. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Baker University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Baker University generally make around $62,916. Typical student debt for the program is $29,554. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Baker University

9

Butler Community College placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of El Dorado. About 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Butler Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Butler Community College

10

Washburn University earned the #10 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washburn University awarded about 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Washburn University earn around $25,679 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,717. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Washburn University

11

Kansas Wesleyan University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Kansas Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $42,094 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,076 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Kansas Wesleyan University

12

Emporia State University landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $46,440 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,131. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Emporia State University

13

Ottawa University Ottawa ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ottawa. Ottawa University Ottawa graduates 28% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Ottawa University Ottawa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ottawa University Ottawa generally make around $30,426. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Ottawa University Ottawa

14
Southwestern College crest
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS

Southwestern College earned the #14 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winfield. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Southwestern College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $58,036 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,875. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Southwestern College

15
University Of Saint Mary crest
University Of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, KS

University Of Saint Mary placed #15 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Leavenworth. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Saint Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $29,151 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,946 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Saint Mary

16
Mcpherson College crest
Mcpherson College
McPherson, KS

Mcpherson College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mcpherson College awarded about 14 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $42,278 in their early career. Mcpherson College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Mcpherson College

17

Haskell Indian Nations University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. About 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Haskell Indian Nations University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $24,914 in their early career. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Haskell Indian Nations University

18

Sterling College Kansas came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sterling. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Sterling College Kansas in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Sterling College Kansas earn a median of $30,086 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,250. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Sterling College Kansas

19

Bethany College Kansas came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. There were roughly 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Bethany College Kansas in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bethany College Kansas earn a median of $28,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Bethany College Kansas

20
Friends University crest
Friends University
Wichita, KS

Friends University came in at #20 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. Friends University awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Friends University generally make around $24,870. Friends University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Friends University

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

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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