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Bachelor's Degree in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

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Bachelor’s Degrees in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

55,115 Yearly Graduations
$29,050 Median Salary
$26,000 Median Debt
There are 973 schools in the United States where you can get your bachelor's degree in parks and rec. This degree is more popular with male students, and about 38% of recent graduates were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 2.5% of parks and rec graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Parks & Rec Majors

In 2020-2021, 55,115 earned their bachelor's degree in parks and rec. This earns it the #13 spot on the list of the most popular bachelor's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in parks and rec at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Bachelor’s Degree 55,115
Master’s Degree 9,894
Associate Degree 5,979
Basic Certificate 1,583
Undergraduate Certificate 684
Doctor’s Degree 326
Graduate Certificate 232

Earnings of Parks & Rec Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in parks and rec is $29,050. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $25,705 to a high of $32,198.

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Student Debt

The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in parks and rec is $26,000. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $27,000 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $23,250.

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The median monthly payment of a parks and rec graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $309.

Student Diversity

More men than women pursue bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. About 50.1% of graduates in this field are male.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 27,639
Women 27,476
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The racial-ethnic distribution of parks and rec bachelor’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 2,739
Black or African American 6,871
Hispanic or Latino 8,798
White 31,438
International Students 1,358
Other Races/Ethnicities 3,911
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There are 973 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in parks and rec. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
608 Yearly Graduations
59% Women
14% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Iowa tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for parks and rec majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Roughly 30,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,356 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,432 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 608 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at Iowa. Of these students, 59% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#2

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
576 Yearly Graduations
50% Women
17% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Indiana University - Bloomington comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 43,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,913 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,909 per year. The parks and rec program at Indiana University - Bloomington awarded 576 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 50% were women and 17% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#3

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
571 Yearly Graduations
57% Women
64% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Texas State University comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 37,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,606 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,147 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 571 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at Texas State. About 57% of this group were women, and 64% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

544 Yearly Graduations
51% Women
77% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

California State University - Fullerton comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 42,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 544 people received their bachelor's degree in parks and rec from Cal State Fullerton. About 51% of this group were women, and 77% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#5

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
492 Yearly Graduations
72% Women
61% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Memphis comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Roughly 22,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,352 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,378 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 492 people received their bachelor's degree in parks and rec from UofM. Around 61% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 72% were women.

#6

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
474 Yearly Graduations
54% Women
30% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Texas A&M University - College Station comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 70,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,578 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,885 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 474 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at Texas A&M College Station. Of these students, 54% were women and 30% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#7

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
473 Yearly Graduations
32% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

American Public University System comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Roughly 50,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,840 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,660 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 473 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at American Military University. Around 39% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 32% were women.

465 Yearly Graduations
60% Women
86% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The University of Texas at San Antonio is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in parks and rec. Roughly 34,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,237 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,056 per year. The parks and rec program at The University of Texas at San Antonio awarded 465 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 60% of this group were women, and 86% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

459 Yearly Graduations
44% Women
70% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 9th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is California State University - Northridge. Each year, around 40,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 459 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at CSUN. Around 70% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 44% were women.

#10

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
458 Yearly Graduations
57% Women
79% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 10th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Houston. Roughly 47,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,685 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,713 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 458 people received their bachelor's degree in parks and rec from UH. About 57% of this group were women, and 79% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
448 Yearly Graduations
57% Women
62% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

San Diego State University comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 36,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 448 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at SDSU. About 57% of this group were women, and 62% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#12

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
435 Yearly Graduations
53% Women
55% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Rutgers University - New Brunswick comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 50,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,536 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $18,180 per year. The parks and rec program at Rutgers University - New Brunswick awarded 435 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 53% were women and 55% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#13

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
411 Yearly Graduations
71% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Michigan State University comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 49,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,966 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,714 per year. The parks and rec program at Michigan State University awarded 411 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 71% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#14

California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, California
396 Yearly Graduations
51% Women
67% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

California State University - Sacramento comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Roughly 32,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. The parks and rec program at California State University - Sacramento awarded 396 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 51% of this group were women, and 67% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#15

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
386 Yearly Graduations
60% Women
28% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 30,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,019 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,552 per year. The parks and rec program at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill awarded 386 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 28% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 60% were women.

#16

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
374 Yearly Graduations
48% Women
78% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

California State University - Long Beach is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in parks and rec. Roughly 40,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 374 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at CSULB. About 48% of this group were women, and 78% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

371 Yearly Graduations
57% Women
96% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Each year, around 32,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,857 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,002 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 371 people received their bachelor's degree in parks and rec from UT Rio Grande Valley. Of these students, 57% were women and 96% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#18

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
362 Yearly Graduations
56% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Utah comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 33,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,749 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,970 per year. The parks and rec program at University of Utah awarded 362 bachelor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 56% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

352 Yearly Graduations
64% Women
22% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Roughly 30,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,332 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,468 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 352 people received their bachelor's degree in parks and rec from UT Knoxville. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 64% were women.

#19

Pennsylvania State University - University Park

University Park, Pennsylvania
352 Yearly Graduations
47% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Pennsylvania State University - University Park comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in parks and rec. Roughly 89,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $23,189 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 352 bachelor's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at Penn State University Park. About 47% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Health & Physical Education 49,843
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 2,584
Recreation Administration 2,416
Outdoor Education 169
Other Parks & Recreation Studies 103

Below are some popular majors that are similar to parks and rec that offer bachelor’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Law Enforcement & Firefighting 60,668
Public & Social Service 36,233
Legal Professions 4,961
Military Technologies & Sciences 1,560

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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