2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Alabama

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in Alabama

Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in Alabama

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation & leisure studies education in Alabama.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

1

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

30 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded

$31,303 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked Jacksonville State University the best school in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 30 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $31,303. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Jacksonville State University

2

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

28 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded

$33,557 Median Starting Salary

University Of South Alabama came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Alabama awarded about 28 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $33,557 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University Of South Alabama

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2 schools evaluated.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.