2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools

1

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Texas A And M University College Station

2

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 93 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $39,157 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,369. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

3

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 69 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $40,338 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University Sacramento

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 108 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $41,234 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #5. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for San Jose State University

6

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. About 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Kingsborough Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Typical student debt for the program is $7,858. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Cuny Kingsborough Community College

7

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #7 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $33,692. Typical student debt for the program is $14,999. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for San Diego State University

8

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $43,700 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,306. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for California State University East Bay

9

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 101 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $39,038 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Indiana University Bloomington

10

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #10 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $38,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at University Of Missouri Columbia

11

Suny College At Cortland
Cortland, NY

Suny College At Cortland earned the #11 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Cortland. Suny College At Cortland graduates 68% of students within six years. Suny College At Cortland awarded about 15 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $38,709 in their early career. Suny College At Cortland graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Suny College At Cortland

12

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 125 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,596. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Brigham Young University Provo

13

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $43,149 in their early career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Arizona State University

14

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 33 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $32,697 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,061. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California State University Fresno

15

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #15 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,532 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Long Beach

16

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico came in at #16 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 49 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,920. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from California State University Chico

17

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #17 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $36,850 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Ohio University Main Campus

18

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #18 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 12 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $37,103. Typical student debt for the program is $25,691. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at University Of Iowa

19

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 22 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,393. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,313 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

20

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $35,587. Students borrow a median of $19,661 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Pittsburg State University

21

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #21 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 39 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $31,672. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Northern Arizona University

22

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. Oregon State University awarded about 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $34,451 in their early career. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Oregon State University

23

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Winona State University earn around $35,062 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,148 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Winona State University

24

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa placed #24 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 23 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,233. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at University Of Northern Iowa

25

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University placed #25 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 13 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Emporia State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Emporia State University