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

16 Colleges in the United States
2,435 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,053 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.

College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.

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

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

Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee, our #1 school for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 438 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,175 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from The University Of Tennessee

2
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Lipscomb University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,975. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Lipscomb University

3

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Cumberland University, which ranked #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lebanon. Cumberland University graduates 42% of students within six years. Cumberland University awarded about 46 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $47,696 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,902. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Cumberland University

4

Tennessee Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. This large public university is located in the town of Cookeville. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 127 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,653. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Tennessee Technological University

5
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at Belmont University, which ranked #5. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Belmont University awarded about 71 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $37,139. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Belmont University

6

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #6 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 196 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $29,772 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

7
King College crest
King College
Bristol, TN

King College came in at #7 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. King College awarded about 20 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from King College generally make around $49,297. King College graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from King College

8

The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The University Of Tennessee Martin awarded about 75 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $30,587 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,938. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at The University Of Tennessee Martin

9
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Milligan College placed #9 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Milligan College in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Milligan College graduates carry a median of $23,601 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Milligan College

10

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 239 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $35,950. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Middle Tennessee State University

11

Freed Hardeman University earned the #11 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 34 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Freed Hardeman University

12

East Tennessee State University placed #12 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 176 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $34,043 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,036. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at East Tennessee State University

13
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University earned the #13 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jackson. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 17 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Union University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Union University generally make around $68,508. Typical student debt for the program is $28,605. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Union University

14

Southern Adventist University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Southern Adventist University graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Adventist University awarded about 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Southern Adventist University graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Southern Adventist University

15

University Of Memphis placed #15 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 471 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of Memphis earn around $35,610 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Memphis

16

Lincoln Memorial University placed #16 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Harrogate. About 47% of students finish within six years. Lincoln Memorial University awarded about 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $26,830 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Lincoln Memorial University

17

Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #17 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Trevecca Nazarene University awarded about 12 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. Typical student debt for the program is $24,962. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Trevecca Nazarene University

18

Austin Peay State University came in at #18 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Austin Peay State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Austin Peay State University awarded about 146 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $37,636. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Austin Peay State University

19
Carson Newman College crest
Carson Newman College
Jefferson City, TN

Carson Newman College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Carson Newman College awarded about 49 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $25,972. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Carson Newman College

20

Tennessee Wesleyan College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $58,859 in their early career. Tennessee Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Tennessee Wesleyan College

21

Bryan College Dayton landed the #21 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bryan College Dayton awarded about 19 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,077 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Bryan College Dayton

22

Martin Methodist College came in at #22 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Martin Methodist College awarded about 26 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $28,069 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Martin Methodist College

23
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #23 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $22,135. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Lee University

24
Tusculum College crest
Tusculum College
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College landed the #24 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. Tusculum College awarded about 56 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $22,825 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Tusculum College

25

Bethel University Tennessee earned the #25 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of McKenzie. Bethel University Tennessee graduates 17% of students within six years. Bethel University Tennessee 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 Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $31,638. Bethel University Tennessee graduates carry a median of $29,677 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Bethel University Tennessee

Rest of the Top 26 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools

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

26

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Notes and References

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 · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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