Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1489 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 318 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $43,506 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $65,183 in their early career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 304 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
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A rank of #4 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 65 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 282 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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Texas A And M University College Station earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 549 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $37,044 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete this degree.
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James Madison University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 315 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,955 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Rice University came in at #8 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. 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. There were roughly 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $51,110 in their early career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 149 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $34,020. Students borrow a median of $21,300 to complete this degree.
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University Of Georgia came in at #10 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 281 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 $33,108 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of Kansas landed the #11 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 223 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Kansas earn around $33,891 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans.
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University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 179 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $31,403 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #13 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 295 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,165. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete this degree.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #14 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 82 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $36,050 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,064 to complete this degree.
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University Of Florida earned the #15 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 209 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 $39,854. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 319 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,583 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans.
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Emory University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of $37,974 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,883 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Alabama ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 264 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans.
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Indiana University Bloomington landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 501 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $35,870 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,660.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #20 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 248 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $40,702 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 108 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $65,599 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,316 to complete this degree.
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Suny College At Oneonta earned the #22 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Suny College At Oneonta graduates 69% of students within six years. About 94 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,119. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $22,600 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #23 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 271 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,230 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,480 in student loans.
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Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #24 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 168 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $36,592 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
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Southern Methodist University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 130 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $45,519 early in their careers. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,475 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:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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).
