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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Schools in South Dakota

5 Colleges in the United States
329 Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies Degrees Awarded
$51,598 Avg Early-Career Salary

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies in South Dakota

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 University Of South Dakota, our #1 school for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. About 88 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from University Of South Dakota earn around $51,566 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from University Of South Dakota

2

A rank of #2 makes South Dakota State University one of the top schools for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. South Dakota State University awarded about 73 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $25,419 in student loans. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from South Dakota State University

3

Augustana College South Dakota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #3. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 50 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $50,088. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Augustana College South Dakota

4

Mount Marty College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #4. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 31 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Mount Marty College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Mount Marty College generally make around $108,425. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Mount Marty College

5

University Of Sioux Falls is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies, ranking #5. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. University Of Sioux Falls graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Sioux Falls awarded about 22 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program make about $34,839 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,146. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at University Of Sioux Falls

6

Black Hills State University earned the #6 position for parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies this year. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 28 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Black Hills State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $34,142. Black Hills State University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program report for Black Hills State University

7

Northern State University placed #7 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Northern State University in the most recent year. Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $40,424 early in their careers. Northern State University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Read more about the parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies program at Northern State University

8

Dakota State University placed #8 among the best parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies schools. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 10 parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degrees were awarded at Dakota State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies degree from Dakota State University earn around $51,970 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,724. More information about a degree in parks, recreation, leisure & fitness studies from Dakota State University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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