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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

5 Colleges in the United States
181 Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Degrees Awarded
$44,051 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies in the Southwest Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies

1

Texas A And M University College Station tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 50 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $64,891 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Texas A And M University College Station

2

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 25 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Arizona State University earn around $43,149 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Arizona State University

3

Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 22 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,393. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

4

A rank of #4 makes Northern Arizona University one of the top schools for parks, recreation & leisure studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 39 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $31,672 early in their careers. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Northern Arizona University

5

Arizona State University Skysong is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 45 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $43,149. Typical student debt for the program is $22,396. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Arizona State University Skysong

Narrow Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools by State

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View All Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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