ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

14 Colleges in the United States
2,311 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,549 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 73 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
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 Pennsylvania

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

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 318 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 187 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

3

Thomas Jefferson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Thomas Jefferson University earn around $64,243 in the first couple years of their career. Thomas Jefferson University graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Thomas Jefferson University

4

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 119 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

5

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at University Of Scranton, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Scranton earn around $56,861 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Scranton graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Scranton

6

Lebanon Valley College came in at #6 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Lebanon Valley College awarded about 79 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Lebanon Valley College earn around $39,243 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Lebanon Valley College

7
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 212 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $37,260 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Temple University

8

Pennsylvania Western University placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 308 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Pennsylvania Western University

9

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

10
Kings College crest
Kings College
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Kings College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kings College awarded about 23 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Kings College generally make around $45,414. Typical student debt for the program is $26,980. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Kings College

11

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates 26% of students within six years. About 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent year. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

12

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #12 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 59 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $24,916 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

13

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks

14
Chatham University crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University landed the #14 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Chatham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $61,339 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,453 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Chatham University

15

Alvernia University placed #15 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Reading. About 56% of students finish within six years. Alvernia University awarded about 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $41,508 early in their careers. Alvernia University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Alvernia University

16
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #16 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $39,914 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,672. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Drexel University

17

York College Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 31 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at York College Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,739 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at York College Pennsylvania

18
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College placed #18 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grove City. Grove City College graduates 83% of students within six years. About 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Grove City College in the most recent year. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Grove City College

19

Gannon University landed the #19 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Gannon University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Gannon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. Gannon University graduates carry a median of $26,390 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Gannon University

20

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 117 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,053. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

21
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Eastern University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Eastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Eastern University earn around $50,474 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,584. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Eastern University

22
Westminster College Pa crest
Westminster College Pa
New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College Pa landed the #22 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Westminster College Pa in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $41,105 in their early career. Westminster College Pa graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Westminster College Pa

23

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,363. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

24

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $43,441. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania

25
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University landed the #25 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Arcadia University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Arcadia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $46,764. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Arcadia University

Rest of the Top 39 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

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

26
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA
27
28
29
30
31
Thiel College crest
Thiel College
Greenville, PA
32
33
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA
34
35
Immaculata University crest
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA
36
37
38
39
Keystone College crest
Keystone College
La Plume, PA

ADBLOCK #173
View All Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 73 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options