Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1489 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in the United States
Below are the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies
Cuny Kingsborough Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. About 30 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Kingsborough Community College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,858.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. Utah Valley University awarded about 109 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $31,905. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $15,252 in student loans.
Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Utah Valley University
Shasta College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. There were roughly 170 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Shasta College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Shasta College earn around $50,330 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,275.
Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Shasta College
Cabrillo College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. There were roughly 219 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $38,985 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,864.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Cabrillo College
A rank of #5 makes Green River Community College one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. Green River Community College awarded about 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Green River Community College
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
Moorpark College came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Moorpark College awarded about 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans.
Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Moorpark College
De Anza College landed the #8 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. De Anza College awarded about 37 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from De Anza College
Pasadena City College placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. About 93 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans.
Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Pasadena City College
South Texas College came in at #10 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of McAllen. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. About 43 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at South Texas College in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from South Texas College earn around $22,699 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for South Texas College
Foothill College earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. There were roughly 25 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Foothill College
Diablo Valley College came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Diablo Valley College awarded about 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $27,813 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Diablo Valley College
Anne Arundel Community College landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Arnold. About 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Anne Arundel Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $59,894 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete this degree.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Anne Arundel Community College
Citrus College landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Glendora. There were roughly 66 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Citrus College in the most recent data year.
Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Citrus College
Orange Coast College came in at #15 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. About 31 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Orange Coast College
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. About 40 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Chandler Gilbert Community College
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #17 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Alexandria Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Alexandria Technical And Community College earn around $45,368 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Alexandria Technical And Community College
Union County College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. There were roughly 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Union County College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $38,168 in their early career. Union County College graduates carry a median of $14,218 in student loans.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Union County College
Cypress College landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Cypress College awarded about 71 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Cypress College
Salt Lake Community College placed #20 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans.
Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Salt Lake Community College
San Diego Miramar College landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. About 58 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $41,038 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098.
See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for San Diego Miramar College
Cuesta College earned the #22 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Cuesta College graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans.
Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Cuesta College
County College Of Morris came in at #23 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. There were roughly 21 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from County College Of Morris earn around $30,966 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,000.
Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at County College Of Morris
Santa Barbara City College earned the #24 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans.
Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Santa Barbara City College
Blinn College landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. There were roughly 84 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Blinn College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Blinn College earn around $43,408 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Blinn College
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:
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 · 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).
