by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 133 U.S. colleges awarded 2,358 degrees and certificates in Recreation Administration. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 76% of graduates. College Factual ranks 57 schools in its 2027 Best Recreation Administration Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $33,724 one year after completing, rising to $51,970 after four years.
If you would like to work in a field that promotes exercise, leisure activities, and healthy living in a fun environment, consider majoring in Recreation Administration.
A career in Recreation Administration allows you to oversee the daily operations of recreational and leisure facilities, create programs, and take care of business administration tasks. To prepare for a career in this field, students take classes in topics such as business, finance, marketing, management, indoor and outdoor recreation and more.
Students have the ability to major in general Recreation Administration or can specialize in areas such as Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management.
A degree in Recreation Administration covers Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Facilities Management.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, recreation administration is a popular field of study, with 2,358 degrees awarded annually. 133 colleges award recreation administration degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 165.
By level, the 2,358 awards include 18 certificates, 205 associate degrees, 1,782 bachelor’s degrees, 332 master’s degrees and 16 doctorates.
Women earned 43% of recreation administration degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,016 of 2,358). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,601) and Hispanic or Latino (257), and international students earned 57.
College Factual ranks 57 schools in its 2027 Best Recreation Administration Schools ranking, including 5 for associate degrees, 51 for bachelor’s degrees and 12 for master’s degrees. It also ranks recreation administration schools within 28 states. In all, 133 colleges offer recreation administration programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Recreation Administration Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common recreation administration credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,782 of the 2,358 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to recreation administration call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Since students that go into Recreation Administration are responsible for many aspects of the business, it is important to be organized. This will be helpful when you need to handle multiple tasks and projects at one time. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are also required as you design programs, organize schedules for others and speak with clients and others that use your facility. These skills will also help you better serve customers and ensure you are providing them with the services they want. Students who pursue a degree in Recreation Administration often have a background in business.
Recreation Administration majors typically work in jobs that are full time. However, due to seasons, a job may be busier during certain times of the year, having an effect on work hours.
Summer jobs or internships in the recreation field will give students hands-on experience. It was also provide them with a background in recreation, so they can decide if this is a field they would like to pursue a career in.
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How long a recreation administration degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 205 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,782 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 332 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to recreation administration, at 38.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.0% |
| Some college courses | 12.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.7% |
| Master’s degree | 4.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Recreation Administration, with an average median salary of $108,196; the strongest outlook belongs to First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers, at 4.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Golf Course Manager, Park Superintendent, Parks and Recreation Manager and Venue Manager.
A degree in Recreation Administration prepares graduates to pursue a job in a variety of locations. Graduates work for recreation centers, parks, cruise ships, gyms, and other facilities that provide recreation and leisure services to the general public. With the field growing at an average rate, students should have good opportunities finding jobs after graduation. Those with previous experience or who are willing to move will have a better chance of finding a well-paying job.
The occupation related to recreation administration with the most projected jobs is Security Managers, at 360,967.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Security Managers | 360,967 | 0.6% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | 276,926 | 4.4% |
| Facilities Managers | 268,353 | -0.6% |
| General and Operations Managers | 163,335 | -2.2% |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | 141,428 | 4.2% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 139,205 | -2.2% |
Recreation Administration graduates earn a median $33,724 one year after completing their program, $51,970 after four years and $48,477 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,724 |
| 4 years | $51,970 |
| 5 years | $48,477 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to recreation administration is Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling, with a median salary of $170,172.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $170,172 |
| Facilities Managers | $157,669 |
| General and Operations Managers | $149,694 |
| Security Managers | $104,128 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | $43,138 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $24,378 |
Recreation Administration includes 3 concentrations that together award 2,358 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General (2,180), Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management (177) and Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Other (1). It has 4 similar majors in the Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness field, which together award 70,823 degrees a year; the largest are Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (68,170), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (2,266) and Outdoor Education (229). Browse all Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 68,170 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2,266 |
| Outdoor Education | 229 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | 158 |
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