Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1489 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
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Choosing a Great Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies School
The school you choose for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in the United States
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 & fitness studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $58,537. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 377 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $42,490 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of St Thomas Minnesota one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $65,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
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Georgetown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 139 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $54,668 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 318 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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The College Of New Jersey earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 65 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $56,617 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete this degree.
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George Washington University came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $73,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 302 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Texas A And M University College Station placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 682 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $42,358 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete this degree.
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University Of Florida earned the #10 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 464 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $44,798. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans.
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James Madison University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 339 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from James Madison University earn around $40,528 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 132 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,050. Students borrow a median of $23,064 to complete this degree.
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Rice University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $51,110 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
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University Of Maryland College Park placed #14 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 188 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $31,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,138.
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University Of Kansas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 240 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $33,891. Typical student debt for the program is $22,125.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 70 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $63,418 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 333 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $35,583 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,361.
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Emory University landed the #18 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 62 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Emory University earn around $37,974 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,883 to complete this degree.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 183 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $34,734. Students borrow a median of $21,300 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #20 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 327 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $39,401 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Alabama ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 283 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans.
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University Of Arizona ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 42 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861.
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University Of Georgia landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 338 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,359 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
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Indiana University Bloomington earned the #24 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 538 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,603. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,660 in student loans.
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Rowan University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education:
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 · 1489 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).
