College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Recreation Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region

4 Colleges in the United States
84 Recreation Administration Degrees Awarded
$40,735 Avg Early-Career Salary

Recreation Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their recreation administration programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools to find the best for recreation administration students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Recreation Administration in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall recreation administration education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Recreation Administration

1

Minnesota State University Mankato tops our 2027 ranking of the best recreation administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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

2

South Dakota State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best recreation administration schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 43 recreation administration degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $38,076 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,093. More information about a degree in recreation administration from South Dakota State University

3

Students looking for a strong recreation administration program will find one at Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,633. See the full recreation administration program report for Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

4

Students looking for a strong recreation administration program will find one at Missouri Western State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Missouri Western State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 15 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Missouri Western State University in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $41,107 early in their careers. Missouri Western State University graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Read more about the recreation administration program at Missouri Western State University

Narrow Recreation Administration Schools by State

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 · 4 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options