2026 Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for parks, recreation & leisure studies. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $38,725 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from University Of Missouri Columbia

2

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation & leisure studies program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 12 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $37,103 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,691 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for University Of Iowa

3

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, ranking #3. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 34 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $35,587 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,661 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation & leisure studies program at Pittsburg State University

4

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, landing the #4 spot 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. Winona State University awarded about 14 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $35,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,148. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for Winona State University

5

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 23 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $37,233 in their early career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for University Of Northern Iowa

6

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University placed #6 among the best parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 13 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Emporia State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation & leisure studies degree from Emporia State University earn around $46,440 in the first couple years of their career. Emporia State University graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation & leisure studies program report for Emporia State University

7

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #7 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 74 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees 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

8

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 parks, recreation & leisure studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $28,241 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Get the full parks, recreation & leisure studies details for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

9

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation & leisure studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 12 parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation & leisure studies program make about $28,345 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,457. More information about a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies from Missouri State University Springfield