2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

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 getting a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 93 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees 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. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento 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 city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 57 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $40,338. Students borrow a median of $20,024 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for California State University Sacramento

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 21 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for San Jose State University

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 83 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,742 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 86 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,429. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Indiana University Bloomington

6

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $33,692 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for San Diego State University

7

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay 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

8

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 70 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $38,725 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

9

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #9 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. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Brigham Young University Provo

10

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 13 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. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Arizona State University

11

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $32,697. Students borrow a median of $14,061 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Fresno

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #12 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 40 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,532. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for California State University Long Beach

13

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 48 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $33,920 in their early career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at California State University Chico

14

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #14 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 16 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,850. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Ohio University Main Campus

15

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. 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. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $37,103 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,691 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for University Of Iowa

16

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 15 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,393 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

17

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University came in at #17 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $35,587 in their early career. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $19,661 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Pittsburg State University

18

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #18 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. 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. There were roughly 38 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $31,672 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Northern Arizona University

19

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Oregon State University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $34,451 early in their careers. 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

20

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University earned the #20 position for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Maryville. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $42,389 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Northwest Missouri State University

21

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $35,062 in their early career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $21,148 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Winona State University

22

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #22 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,233 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for University Of Northern Iowa

23

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University came in at #23 for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Emporia. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 13 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Emporia State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $46,440. Emporia State University graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Emporia State University

24

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #24 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 78 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $31,567 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,310. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University Of Arkansas

25

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $27,558 early in their careers. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $17,897 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Western Washington University