by our College Data Analytics TeamEveryone enjoys time to rest and relax. A degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies will allow you to provide services that will help others chill out while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
There are many areas of specialization you can choose from within the Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies field. Some of the lesser know areas include Ski Resort Management, Personal Training, and Sports training. Depending on your area of specialization, you will take classes in management, hospitality, finance, administration, and marketing or exercise science, anatomy, nutrition, and physiology.
A major in Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies explores Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology, Other. Continue reading for the important information every other parks, recreation & leisure studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other parks, recreation & leisure studies programs.
Nationwide, other parks, recreation & leisure studies is a popular field of study, with 355 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 17 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other parks, recreation & leisure studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other parks, recreation & leisure studies programs later in this article.
Students who pursue a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure studies often work in careers interacting with people. This requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. Students should also have strong customer service skills as they are expected to provide different types of services to paying customers.
Some jobs in the parks and recreation industry can be seasonal or part time. Those who are in management positions often have full time jobs and may have to work overtime during busy seasons. Those who are self-employed set their own hours and may be busy depending on the demand for their services.
When pursuing a career in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies, it is best to pursue a summer job or internship in the field. This will allow students to get hands-on experience outside the classroom along with gaining relevant experience that will make them competitive in the job market.
There are several other parks, recreation & leisure studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 126 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 183 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 38 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
Job locations and work environments vary depending on the area of specialization within the field. Students who specialized in Ski Resort Management work at a variety of ski resorts both around the country and around the world. Students with degrees in areas such as Personal or Sports Training work in gyms, for collegiate or professional teams, or become self-employed. Graduates looking for jobs in specialized areas may need to relocate in order to find work.
Federal data tracks median earnings of other parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $30,114 |
| 4 years | $38,657 |
| 5 years | $45,192 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
With 17 different other parks, recreation & leisure studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other parks, recreation & leisure studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in other parks, recreation & leisure studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | 355 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 65,261 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 2,291 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2,155 |
| Outdoor Education | 336 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
