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Best Schools for Recreation Administration in the The Plains States Region
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.
Top Schools in Recreation Administration
Our analysis ranked Kansas State University the best school in the country for a degree in recreation administration. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 23 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Kansas State University earn around $37,083 in the first couple years of their career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the recreation administration program at Kansas State University
A rank of #2 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the top schools for recreation administration. 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. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 20 recreation administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the recreation administration program make about $36,220 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in recreation administration from Minnesota State University Mankato
South Dakota State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in recreation administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,093.
Read more about the recreation administration program at South Dakota State University
Students looking for a strong recreation administration program will find one at Missouri Western State University, which ranked #4. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Saint Joseph. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 recreation administration degrees were awarded at Missouri Western State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their recreation administration degree from Missouri Western State University earn around $41,107 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete this degree.
Read more about the recreation administration program at Missouri Western State University
Narrow Recreation Administration Schools by State
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 · 17 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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