2026 Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Schools
Looking for the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 152 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo this year in the United States. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,369 in student loans. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
You'll be in good company at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #2 this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Out of the 152 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #3 spot. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $23,447. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
You'll be in good company at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Provo posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $12,000. Read more about Brigham Young University Provo
Out of the 152 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Indiana University Bloomington landed the #5 spot. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $19,750. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
Winona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Winona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $21,148. See the full Winona State University profile
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Eastern Washington University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Eastern Washington University is a public school based in Cheney, WA. Eastern Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $21,754. Read more about Eastern Washington University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #9 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Maryville, MO, Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $25,250. Read the full report on Northwest Missouri State University
San Jose State University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Get the full San Jose State University report
University Of Iowa placed #12 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,691 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of Northern Iowa placed #13 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Set in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #14 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Based in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $21,783. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
Ithaca College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Ithaca, NY, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Ithaca College Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $24,517 in debt. More on Ithaca College
Pittsburg State University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Pittsburg State University is a public school based in Pittsburg, KS. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Pittsburg State University Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $19,661 in debt. See the full Pittsburg State University profile
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. More on Ohio University Main Campus
York College Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in York, PA. York College Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Read the full report on York College Pennsylvania
University Of Arkansas ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $23,310. Read more about University Of Arkansas
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public school based in Kearney, NE. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. More on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Kutztown, PA, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $27,000. More on Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Miami University Oxford landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Miami University Oxford Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $24,177 in debt. Read more about Miami University Oxford
University Of Utah placed #23 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $22,982. See the full University Of Utah profile
California State University Sacramento placed #24 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Located in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. California State University Sacramento posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. California State University Sacramento Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $20,024 in debt. More on California State University Sacramento
Suny College At Cortland landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cortland, NY, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. Suny College At Cortland posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $25,369. More on Suny College At Cortland
Rest of the Top 50 Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
California State University Long Beach landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Long Beach, CA. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $14,500. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach
California State University Chico placed #28 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Based in Chico, CA, California State University Chico is a public institution. California State University Chico posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,179 in student loans. Read more about California State University Chico
California State University East Bay ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. This public school is set in Hayward, CA. California State University East Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $20,306. Get the full California State University East Bay report
Shepherd University placed #30 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Located in Shepherdstown, WV, Shepherd University is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Shepherd University Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $24,950 in debt. Read more about Shepherd University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bowling Green, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. See the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus profile
California State University Fresno ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. This public school is set in Fresno, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. California State University Fresno Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $14,061 in debt. See the full California State University Fresno profile
Georgia College And State University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Milledgeville, GA. Georgia College And State University graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $24,412. Get the full Georgia College And State University report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $21,313. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Radford University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in Radford, VA, Radford University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Radford University
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #38 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. University Of Central Oklahoma is a public school based in Edmond, OK. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Central Oklahoma
San Diego State University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Read more about San Diego State University
Newberry College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Newberry, SC. About 45% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,100. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $27,729. Read more about Newberry College
Lindenwood University placed #41 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Charles, MO. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. More on Lindenwood University
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $23,289. Get the full Southeast Missouri State University report
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. University Of Minnesota Duluth Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $24,624 in debt. Read more about University Of Minnesota Duluth
Georgia Southern University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Georgia Southern University graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,936 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. Read the full report on Georgia Southern University
Carson Newman College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Set in Jefferson City, TN, Carson Newman College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carson Newman College posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $22,843. See the full Carson Newman College profile
Emporia State University placed #46 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Emporia, KS. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. Get the full Emporia State University report
Gordon College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Wenham, MA, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,700. Gordon College Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $26,372 in debt. Read the full report on Gordon College
Western Washington University placed #48 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Based in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Western Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Graduates carry a median of $17,897 in student loans. Read the full report on Western Washington University
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Denver, CO, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates 31% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. Read the full report on Metropolitan State College Of Denver
San Francisco State University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. San Francisco State University is a public school based in San Francisco, CA. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $16,797 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Southern Illinois University Carbondale Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $20,525 in debt. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $26,797. Get the full Olivet Nazarene University report
Gallaudet University ranked #53 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Located in Washington, DC, Gallaudet University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gallaudet University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Students from in state pay about $19,654 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,123 in student loans. Read more about Gallaudet University
Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 152 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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