2026 Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 152 schools 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year in the United States. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $23,447. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
You'll be in good company at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. More on Indiana University Bloomington
The strong Parks Recreation Leisure Studies programs at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $24,546. Get the full Ohio University Main Campus report
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #4 on this year's Parks Recreation Leisure Studies ranking in the United States. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school based in Cedar Falls, IA. University Of Northern Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $23,907. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Suny College At Cortland came in at #5 on this year's Parks Recreation Leisure Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Cortland, NY, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,369 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. Read the full report on Suny College At Cortland
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a public school based in Long Beach, CA. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $14,500. More on California State University Long Beach
University Of Utah came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,982 to complete their Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program here. More on University Of Utah
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,313 in student loans. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Graduates carry a median of $20,024 in student loans. See the full California State University Sacramento profile
California State University Chico came in at #10 in this year's ranking. California State University Chico is a public school based in Chico, CA. About 63% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $18,179. Read the full report on California State University Chico
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $20,525. More on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Maryville, MO, Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution. Northwest Missouri State University graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Northwest Missouri State University Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $25,250 in debt. See the full Northwest Missouri State University profile
Northern Arizona University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. Northern Arizona University posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Northern Arizona University Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read more about Northern Arizona University
East Carolina University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. East Carolina University is a public school based in Greenville, NC. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical Parks Recreation Leisure Studies student debt is $19,587. Read more about East Carolina University
Southern Oregon University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ashland, OR. Southern Oregon University graduates 42% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Southern Oregon University Parks Recreation Leisure Studies students take on a median of $24,951 in debt. See the full Southern Oregon University profile
University Of Toledo landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Located in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. University Of Toledo posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. The median Parks Recreation Leisure Studies program debt is $24,923. Get the full University Of Toledo report
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College did well this year, earning the #17 position. See the full Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College profile
Mount Olive College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. See the full Mount Olive College profile
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #19 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Minnesota Duluth report
Arizona State University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Arizona State University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
El Camino Community College District came in at #24 in this year's ranking. More on El Camino Community College District
Palomar College
Palomar College placed #25 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. See the full Palomar College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Central State University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Central State University
Newberry College
Newberry College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Newberry College report
Gwinnett Technical College did well this year, earning the #28 position. See the full Gwinnett Technical College profile
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus placed #29 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. More on Ohio University Chillicothe Campus
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #31 position. More on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Messiah College
Messiah College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. More on Messiah College
Sullivan County Community College placed #33 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. See the full Sullivan County Community College profile
Butler County Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. Read more about Butler County Community College
Niagara County Community College placed #35 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Niagara County Community College
Fresno City College did well this year, earning the #36 position. More on Fresno City College
Benedict College
Benedict College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Read more about Benedict College
California State University Fresno came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on California State University Fresno
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #39 position. More on University Of Iowa
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Ohio University Eastern Campus came in at #41 in this year's ranking. See the full Ohio University Eastern Campus profile
Alaska Pacific University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools. More on Alaska Pacific University
Red Rocks Community College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Red Rocks Community College
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo did well this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
Eastern Washington University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. See the full Eastern Washington University profile
Lake Tahoe Community College placed #46 among Parks Recreation Leisure Studies schools in the United States. See the full Lake Tahoe Community College profile
Shepherd University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Shepherd University
Baker University
Baker University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Baker University report
Clemson University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Clemson University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Related Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Parks Recreation Leisure Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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