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2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in Ohio

26 Colleges in the United States
2,556 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,595 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 67 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies education in Ohio.

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 248 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $42,137 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

2

Miami University Oxford came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 294 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $42,958 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Miami University Oxford

3

A rank of #3 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 252 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $45,394 in their early career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Ohio University Main Campus

4

University Of Dayton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $38,011 in their early career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Dayton

5
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

A rank of #5 makes Denison University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. Denison University awarded about 24 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Denison University

6

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 228 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,569 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

7
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Cedarville. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 16 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Cedarville University

8

Kent State University At Kent placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 160 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,985 in their early career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $24,215 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Kent State University At Kent

9

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 187 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $31,924 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,050 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

10
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Marietta College awarded about 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Marietta College earn a median of $79,641 early in their careers. Marietta College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Marietta College

11
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 102 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $30,476 in their early career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Xavier University

12
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University earned the #12 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Otterbein University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Otterbein University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Otterbein University earn around $31,851 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Otterbein University

13

Mount Vernon Nazarene University earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Mount Vernon Nazarene University

14
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University earned the #14 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Ashland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $48,852. Ashland University graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Ashland University

15
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University came in at #15 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Wittenberg University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $40,093 in their early career. Wittenberg University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Wittenberg University

16

University Of Mount Union earned the #16 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 65 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Mount Union in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Mount Union earn around $33,631 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mount Union graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Mount Union

17
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University came in at #17 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 3% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Franklin University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Franklin University graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Franklin University

18

Baldwin Wallace College came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 48 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Baldwin Wallace College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $36,528. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Baldwin Wallace College

19

University Of Northwestern Ohio landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lima, University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Northwestern Ohio graduates 32% of students within six years. About 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of Northwestern Ohio in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Northwestern Ohio earn around $44,784 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,805 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of Northwestern Ohio

20

Columbus State Community College placed #20 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 43 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $9,041. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Columbus State Community College

21
Walsh University crest
Walsh University
North Canton, OH

Walsh University landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Walsh University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $53,629 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,805 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Walsh University

22
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University placed #22 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of University Heights. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. John Carroll University awarded about 66 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $27,971. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for John Carroll University

23

Cleveland State University earned the #23 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. Cleveland State University awarded about 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,787. Cleveland State University graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Cleveland State University

24
Lourdes College crest
Lourdes College
Sylvania, OH

Lourdes College earned the #24 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Sylvania. Lourdes College graduates 32% of students within six years. About 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Lourdes College in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lourdes College earn a median of $75,250 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,668 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Lourdes College

25

Sinclair Community College placed #25 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Sinclair Community College awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Sinclair Community College

Rest of the Top 45 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH
31
32
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH
33
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH
34
Malone University crest
Malone University
Canton, OH
35
36
37
38
Bluffton University crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH
39
40
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH
41
Central State University crest
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH
42
43
Muskingum University crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH
44
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, OH
45
Lake Erie College crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, OH

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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 · 67 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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