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

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

9,894 Yearly Graduations
$40,985 Median Salary
44% Women
There are 400 colleges and univerities across the nation that offer a master's degree in parks and rec. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were male, and 30 were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 6.1% of parks and rec graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Parks & Rec Majors

In 2020-2021, 9,894 master's degrees were awarded to parks and rec majors. This makes it the 16th most popular master's degree program in the country.

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 Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in parks and rec is $40,985. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $37,833 to a high of $45,899.

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Student Debt

The data on debt ranges for parks and rec majors who have their master's degree is not available.

Student Diversity

More men than women pursue master's degrees in parks and rec. About 56.2% of graduates in this field are male.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 5,561
Women 4,333
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The racial-ethnic distribution of parks and rec master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 203
Black or African American 1,415
Hispanic or Latino 957
White 5,956
International Students 605
Other Races/Ethnicities 758
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There are 400 colleges that offer a master’s degree in parks and rec. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
405 Yearly Graduations
29% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Concordia University, Irvine tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree. Each year, around 4,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $37,990 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,564 per year. The parks and rec program at Concordia University, Irvine awarded 405 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 29% were women and 39% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#2

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
300 Yearly Graduations
47% Women
31% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree is Concordia University, Chicago. Each year, around 6,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $33,310 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,090 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 300 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from Concordia University, Chicago. About 47% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#3

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
275 Yearly Graduations
56% Women
28% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

California University of Pennsylvania is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in parks and rec. Each year, around 6,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,288 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 275 master's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at Cal U. Around 28% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 56% were women.

#4

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
206 Yearly Graduations
42% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Liberty University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 93,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,409 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,847 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 206 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from Liberty University. Around 24% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 42% were women.

#5

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
198 Yearly Graduations
44% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

American Public University System comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master'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. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 198 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from American Military University. Around 39% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 44% were women.

181 Yearly Graduations
36% Women
27% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 6th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree is Arkansas State University - Main Campus. Roughly 13,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,232 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,986 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 181 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from A-State. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 36% were women.

169 Yearly Graduations
33% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 7th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree is Ohio University - Athens Campus. Each year, around 25,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,840 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,444 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 169 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from OHIO Athens. Of these students, 33% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

159 Yearly Graduations
27% Women
33% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Southeastern Oklahoma State University is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in parks and rec. Each year, around 5,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,420 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,734 per year. The parks and rec program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University awarded 159 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 27% were women and 33% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
150 Yearly Graduations
34% Women
35% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Georgetown University is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in parks and rec. Roughly 19,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,784 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,672 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 150 master's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at Georgetown. Of these students, 34% were women and 35% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#10

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire
129 Yearly Graduations
30% Women
39% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Southern New Hampshire University is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in parks and rec. Roughly 134,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $18,900 per year. The parks and rec program at Southern New Hampshire University awarded 129 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 39% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 30% were women.

#10

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
129 Yearly Graduations
53% Women
46% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 10th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree is California Baptist University. Roughly 11,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $34,918 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,590 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 129 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from Cal Baptist. Around 46% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 53% were women.

#12

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
116 Yearly Graduations
41% Women
58% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 12th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree is California State University - Long Beach. 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. The parks and rec program at California State University - Long Beach awarded 116 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 41% of this group were women, and 58% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#13

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
97 Yearly Graduations
39% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Florida comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 53,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,477 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,770 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 97 master's degrees were handed out to parks and rec majors at UF. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 39% were women.

#13

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
97 Yearly Graduations
40% Women
55% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of San Francisco comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 10,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $52,920 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $27,180 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 97 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from USFCA. Of these students, 40% were women and 55% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia
96 Yearly Graduations
45% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 15th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree is Georgia Southern University. Roughly 26,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,371 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,986 per year. The parks and rec program at Georgia Southern University awarded 96 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 45% were women.

#16

Logan University

Chesterfield, Missouri
95 Yearly Graduations
52% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Logan University comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 1,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,600 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,100 per year. The parks and rec program at Logan University awarded 95 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 52% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#17

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
91 Yearly Graduations
52% Women
22% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for parks and rec majors who are seeking their master's degree is Clemson University. Each year, around 26,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,118 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,600 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 91 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from Clemson. About 52% of this group were women, and 22% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#18

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
85 Yearly Graduations
40% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Texas A&M University - College Station comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master'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. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 85 people received their master's degree in parks and rec from Texas A&M College Station. About 40% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#19

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
79 Yearly Graduations
49% Women
27% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Concordia University, Saint Paul comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in parks and rec. Each year, around 5,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $23,900 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,550 per year. The parks and rec program at Concordia University, Saint Paul awarded 79 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 49% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#20

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
75 Yearly Graduations
37% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Northern Colorado is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in parks and rec. Roughly 11,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,127 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,192 per year. The parks and rec program at University of Northern Colorado awarded 75 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 37% of this group were women, and 21% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Health & Physical Education 9,242
Recreation Administration 396
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 198
Other Parks & Recreation Studies 30
Outdoor Education 28

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

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Public & Social Service 49,660
Law Enforcement & Firefighting 11,614
Legal Professions 7,113
Military Technologies & Sciences 1,035

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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