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2027 Best Recreation Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools

51 Colleges in the United States
1,595 Recreation Administration Degrees Awarded
$37,534 Avg Early-Career Salary

Recreation Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their recreation administration programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for recreation administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Recreation Administration in the United States

See the highest-ranked recreation administration schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.

Top Schools in Recreation Administration

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 school for recreation administration. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of Florida earn around $41,046 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $18,606 in student loans. See the full recreation administration program report for University Of Florida

2

A rank of #2 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the top schools for recreation administration. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 36 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,116 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full recreation administration program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best recreation administration schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 101 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $35,132 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,410 in student loans. Read more about the recreation administration program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Collins. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 80 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $33,161 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,628. Read more about the recreation administration program at Colorado State University Fort Collins

5

Students looking for a strong recreation administration program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 61 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $39,104. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in recreation administration from Illinois State University

6

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best recreation administration schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus awarded about 71 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $38,201 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

7
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #7 for recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 15 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Towson University graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. See the full recreation administration program report for Towson University

8
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #8 for recreation administration this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 139 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $32,992. Typical student debt for the program is $22,592. More information about a degree in recreation administration from Clemson University

9

University Of Florida Online ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best recreation administration schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Florida Online graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of Florida Online earn around $41,046 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida Online graduates carry a median of $18,606 in student loans. More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of Florida Online

10
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #10 among the best recreation administration schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 12 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $35,343 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,939 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for Michigan State University

11

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best recreation administration schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $34,490 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,005. More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

12

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #12 position for recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,873. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. See the full recreation administration program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

13

University Of North Texas landed the #13 spot for recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of North Texas earn around $36,857 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full recreation administration program report for University Of North Texas

14

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #14 among the best recreation administration schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 54 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $35,318 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,213. Get the full recreation administration details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

15

Florida International University came in at #15 for recreation administration this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 95 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Florida International University earn around $29,862 in the first couple years of their career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the recreation administration program at Florida International University

16

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #16 among the best recreation administration schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $35,132. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates carry a median of $24,410 in student loans. More information about a degree in recreation administration from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

17

Appalachian State University earned the #17 position for recreation administration this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 71 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $29,646 early in their careers. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $19,706 in student loans. Read more about the recreation administration program at Appalachian State University

18

Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best recreation administration schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 15 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $38,506 early in their careers. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,757 in student loans. Get the full recreation administration details for Southwestern Oklahoma State University

19
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College earned the #19 position for recreation administration this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 10 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Springfield College in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $49,880 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete this degree. Read more about the recreation administration program at Springfield College

20

University Of Maine came in at #20 for recreation administration this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $47,975 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete this degree. Read more about the recreation administration program at University Of Maine

21

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #21 among the best recreation administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. About 15 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $36,220 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in recreation administration from Minnesota State University Mankato

22

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #22 position for recreation administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 20 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $32,620 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for Texas State University San Marcos

23

South Dakota State University came in at #23 for recreation administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 recreation administration degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $38,076. Students borrow a median of $25,093 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for South Dakota State University

24

Southern Connecticut State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best recreation administration schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. Southern Connecticut State University awarded about 14 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $46,274 in their early career. Southern Connecticut State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full recreation administration program report for Southern Connecticut State University

25

Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences came in at #25 for recreation administration this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences awarded about 11 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences earn a median of $47,538 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,633 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

Rest of the Top 50 Recreation Administration Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong recreation administration education:

26
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
27
28
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
29
30
31
32
33
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
34
35
36
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO
37
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
38
39
40
41
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
42
43
44
45
46
47
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH
48
49
50

Other Recreation Administration Degree Levels

Explore the best recreation administration schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Recreation Administration
Associate's Degrees in Recreation Administration
Master's Degrees in Recreation Administration

View All Recreation Administration Rankings >

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 · 51 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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