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

44 Colleges in the United States
6,715 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,090 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 schools to find the best for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students.

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

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

Top Schools in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies

1

Leading the list is Texas A And M University College Station, our #1 school for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 682 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. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $42,358. Typical student debt for the program is $20,414. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Texas A And M University College Station

2
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #2. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Rice University graduates 95% of students 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. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Rice University

3

Students looking for a strong parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 333 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $35,583. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin

4

Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 142 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $41,229. Typical student debt for the program is $20,475. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Southern Methodist University

5

A rank of #5 makes Texas Christian University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Texas Christian University

6

Saint Edwards University landed the #6 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Saint Edwards University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $36,001 early in their careers. Saint Edwards University graduates carry a median of $22,222 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Saint Edwards University

7
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 345 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $36,117. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Tarleton State University

8

Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 141 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $43,770 in their early career. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Texas Womans University

9

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #9 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 197 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $30,499 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,023. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

10

West Texas A And M University landed the #10 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 82 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $40,313 early in their careers. West Texas A And M University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from West Texas A And M University

11

Texas State University San Marcos placed #11 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 483 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $36,792 in the first couple years of their career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $24,200 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Texas State University San Marcos

12

Texas Tech University came in at #12 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 146 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Texas Tech University earn around $38,090 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,490. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Texas Tech University

13

University Of North Texas landed the #13 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 306 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $35,772 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,200. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of North Texas

14

University Of Houston ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 382 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $35,968 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,298 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for University Of Houston

15

The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #15 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. About 71 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $33,957 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates carry a median of $18,292 in student loans. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for The University Of Texas At Tyler

16

South Texas College came in at #16 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at South Texas College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $22,699 in their early career. South Texas College graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from South Texas College

17

Baylor University landed the #17 spot for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baylor University awarded about 136 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Baylor University earn around $38,803 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Baylor University

18

The University Of Texas Pan American 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 Edinburg. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 289 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $44,258. Typical student debt for the program is $15,110. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for The University Of Texas Pan American

19

Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #19 for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of San Antonio. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University San Antonio in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $32,708 in their early career. Texas A And M University San Antonio graduates carry a median of $23,690 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Texas A And M University San Antonio

20

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #20 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $35,107. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for University Of Houston Clear Lake

21

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #21 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 99 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $45,653. Typical student debt for the program is $23,007. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Texas A And M University Commerce

22

Abilene Christian University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Abilene Christian University 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 Abilene Christian University generally make around $27,898. Students borrow a median of $21,948 to complete this degree. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Abilene Christian University

23

Letourneau University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Longview. About 59% of students finish within six years. Letourneau University awarded about 18 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Letourneau University earn around $53,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,086. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Letourneau University

24

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Nacogdoches. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $37,000. Students borrow a median of $25,995 to complete this degree. Get the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies details for Stephen F Austin State University

25

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 393 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $36,293. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at The University Of Texas At San Antonio

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:

26
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
27
28
29
30
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
31
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
32
Parker University crest
Parker University
Dallas, TX
33
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
34
35
36
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
47
48
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 95 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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