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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Recreation Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools

47 Colleges in the United States
1,450 Recreation Administration Degrees Awarded
$36,863 Avg Early-Career Salary

Recreation Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their recreation administration programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 171 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for recreation administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Recreation Administration in the United States

See the highest-ranked recreation administration schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.

Top Schools in Recreation Administration

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in recreation administration. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 83 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the recreation administration program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in recreation administration, ranking #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 66 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from University Of Florida earn around $41,046 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,606. More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of Florida

3

Students looking for a strong recreation administration program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $38,116 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the recreation administration program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

4

Students looking for a strong recreation administration program will find one at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. About 53 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $33,161 early in their careers. 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

5

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. This large public university is located in the town of Durham. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $38,201. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

6

Illinois State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $39,104 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the recreation administration program at Illinois State University

7

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. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. See the full recreation administration program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #8 among the best recreation administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $35,343. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $24,939 in student loans. See the full recreation administration program report for Michigan State University

9
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #9 among the best recreation administration schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 106 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $32,992 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,592. More information about a degree in recreation administration from Clemson University

10

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #10 for recreation administration this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $34,490 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,005. See the full recreation administration program report for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

11

Kansas State University placed #11 among the best recreation administration schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students 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. Recreation Administration graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $37,083 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the recreation administration program at Kansas State University

12

University Of North Texas placed #12 among the best recreation administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 49 recreation administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $36,857 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in recreation administration from University Of North Texas

13

George Mason University came in at #13 for recreation administration this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 recreation administration degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for George Mason University

14

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #14 for recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 36 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $31,873 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

15

University Of Florida Online came in at #15 for recreation administration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Florida Online awarded about 24 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $43,822 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete this degree. Read more about the recreation administration program at University Of Florida Online

16

Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best recreation administration schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 41% of students finish within six years. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 11 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Recreation Administration graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $38,506 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,757. More information about a degree in recreation administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University

17

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #17 among the best recreation administration schools. 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. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $35,318. Students borrow a median of $22,213 to complete this degree. Get the full recreation administration details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

18

Florida International University placed #18 among the best recreation administration schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. Florida International University awarded about 68 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $29,862 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. See the full recreation administration program report for Florida International University

19

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #19 spot for recreation administration this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 26 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $32,620 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the recreation administration program at Texas State University San Marcos

20

Appalachian State University earned the #20 position for recreation administration this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 67 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Recreation Administration graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $29,646 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,706. Get the full recreation administration details for Appalachian State University

21

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #21 position for recreation administration this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 20 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $36,220 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the recreation administration program at Minnesota State University Mankato

22

South Dakota State University landed the #22 spot for recreation administration this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from South Dakota State University earn around $38,076 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,093 to complete this degree. Read more about the recreation administration program at South Dakota State University

23

University Of Northern Colorado placed #23 among the best recreation administration schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. University Of Northern Colorado awarded about 12 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $35,308 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the recreation administration program at University Of Northern Colorado

24

Saint Josephs College New York came in at #24 for recreation administration this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs College New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Saint Josephs College New York earn around $36,847 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full recreation administration details for Saint Josephs College New York

25

Southern Connecticut State University earned the #25 position for recreation administration this year. This large public university is located in the city of New Haven. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 recreation administration students who graduated with this degree at Southern Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, recreation administration degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $46,274. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in recreation administration from Southern Connecticut State University

Rest of the Top 50 Recreation Administration Schools

These schools also placed among the best for recreation administration this year:

26
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC
27
28
29
30
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
31
32
33
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
34
35
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO
36
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH
47
48
49
50
Chowan University crest
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, NC

Other Recreation Administration Degree Levels

Explore the best recreation administration schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Recreation Administration
Associate's Degrees in Recreation Administration
Master's Degrees in Recreation Administration
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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 · 171 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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