Recreation Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their recreation administration programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 171 schools to find the best for recreation administration students.
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Choosing a Great Recreation Administration School
The recreation administration program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Recreation Administration Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Recreation Administration Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Recreation Administration Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Recreation Administration in the United States
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 recreation administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for recreation administration. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 86 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full recreation administration details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $41,046. Students borrow a median of $18,606 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of Florida
Students looking for a strong recreation administration program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $41,617 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full recreation administration program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Colorado State University Fort Collins is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in recreation administration, ranking #4. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $33,161 in their early career. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $19,628 in student loans.
Read more about the recreation administration program at Colorado State University Fort Collins
A rank of #5 makes University Of New Hampshire Main Campus one of the top schools for recreation administration. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 54 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn around $38,201 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Illinois State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 54 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $39,104. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full recreation administration details for Illinois State University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. About 10 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year.
Get the full recreation administration details for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 14 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Michigan State University earn around $35,343 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $24,939 in student loans.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from Michigan State University
University Of Arkansas landed the #9 spot for recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of Arkansas awarded about 14 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $47,041 in their early career. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of Arkansas
Kansas State University placed #10 among the best recreation administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $37,083. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from Kansas State University
Clemson University earned the #11 position for recreation administration this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 143 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Clemson University earn around $38,309 in the first couple years of their career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans.
See the full recreation administration program report for Clemson University
George Mason University placed #12 among the best recreation administration schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 13 recreation administration degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
See the full recreation administration program report for George Mason University
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #13 among the best recreation administration schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 36 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $31,873 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
See the full recreation administration program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of Florida Online earned the #14 position for recreation administration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 24 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of Florida Online in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $43,822 in their early career. University Of Florida Online graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans.
See the full recreation administration program report for University Of Florida Online
Green River Community College earned the #15 position for recreation administration this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. There were roughly 18 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Green River Community College in the most recent data year.
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University Of North Texas earned the #16 position for recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 76 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $39,969 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of North Texas
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #17 among the best recreation administration schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. About 41% of students finish within six years. About 11 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn around $38,506 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,757.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #18 for recreation administration this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 36 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $35,318 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,213 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of Mississippi Main Campus
Florida International University placed #19 among the best recreation administration schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Florida International University awarded about 77 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $34,860 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full recreation administration details for Florida International University
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #20 for recreation administration this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 26 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $34,490 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,005 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 32 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $32,620. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from Texas State University San Marcos
Appalachian State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 67 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $29,646 in their early career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $19,706 in student loans.
Get the full recreation administration details for Appalachian State University
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $36,220 in their early career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full recreation administration details for Minnesota State University Mankato
South Dakota State University came in at #24 for recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 18 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $38,076. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $25,093 in student loans.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from South Dakota State University
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #25 spot for recreation administration this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Southern Connecticut State University awarded about 20 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Southern Connecticut State University earn around $46,274 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Connecticut State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from Southern Connecticut State University
Rest of the Top 50 Recreation Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong recreation administration education:
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 · 171 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
