2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Finding the Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies School for You
In 2020-2021, 3,106 people earned a degree or certificate in parks, recreation and leisure studies, making the major the #169 most popular in the United States.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. This report analyzed 166 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Colleges.
Top 15% Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Indiana University - Bloomington the most popular school in the United States for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public college with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at IU Bloomington take out is $19,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $478.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington
The excellent programs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation and leisure studies schools in the United States. UIUC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Champaign.
On average, parks and rec graduates from UIUC take out $20,500 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $226.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accumulate an average of around $18,356 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $272.
The excellent programs at University of Missouri - Columbia helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation and leisure studies schools in the United States. Mizzou is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Columbia.
Parks & Rec majors at Mizzou take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $277.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list. BYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from BYU carry an average student debt load of $10,000.
California State University - Sacramento came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Sac State carry an average student debt load of $20,097.
California State University - Chico came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. Chico State is a large public school located in the city of Chico.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Chico State carry an average student debt load of $18,402.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Chico
With a ranking of #8, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. Kutztown University is a medium-sized public school located in the fringe town of Kutztown.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Kutztown University carry an average student debt load of $26,999. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $197.
California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list. CSULB is a fairly large public school located in the city of Long Beach.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at CSULB accumulate an average of around $15,750 in student debt.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Long Beach Report
Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation and leisure studies programs. Located in the medium-sized city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Texas A&M College Station accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Texas A&M University - College Station Report
University of Arkansas came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools ranking. Located in the city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public school with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UARK take out is $22,630.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Arkansas Report
With a ranking of #12, University of Utah did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. Located in the midsize city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, parks and rec graduates from U of U take out $20,924 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Utah Report
University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation and leisure studies programs. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school located in the city of Greensboro.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UNC Greensboro take out is $25,599. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $107.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro Report
University of Northern Iowa landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation and leisure studies programs. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UNI carry an average student debt load of $23,469.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Northern Iowa
With a ranking of #14, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. Located in the distant town of Kearney, UNK is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UNK accumulate an average of around $18,594 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $133.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Nebraska at Kearney Report
Northern Arizona University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list. Located in the city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Parks & Rec majors at NAU take out an average of $24,437 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Northern Arizona University
University of Iowa landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation and leisure studies programs. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public school with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Iowa take out is $23,250. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $517.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at University of Iowa Report
Georgia Southern University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list. Located in the distant town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public school with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from GaSou carry an average student debt load of $28,731. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $141.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Georgia Southern University
Western Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. It came in at #19 on the list. WWU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Bellingham.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from WWU carry an average student debt load of $19,450. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $319.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Western Washington University
With a ranking of #20, San Francisco State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public college with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from SFSU carry an average student debt load of $16,648.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Francisco State University
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation and leisure studies programs. Located in the fringe town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public school with a large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at BGSU accumulate an average of around $25,873 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $513.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools list. Located in the city of Carbondale, SIUC is a public college with a large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at SIUC accumulate an average of around $20,864 in student debt.
With a ranking of #23, Radford University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. Radford is a moderately-sized public school located in the small suburb of Radford.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Radford accumulate an average of around $26,239 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $166, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Radford University Report
With a ranking of #24, San Jose State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation and leisure studies students. San Jose State is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at San Jose State University
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | California State University - Fresno | Fresno, CA |
| 25 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC |
| 27 | South Georgia Technical College | Americus, GA |
| 28 | Kingsborough Community College | Brooklyn, NY |
| 28 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus | Stillwater, OK |
| 28 | Ohio University - Athens Campus | Athens, OH |
| 31 | Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL |
| 32 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA |
| 32 | Winona State University | Winona, MN |
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies by Region
View the Most Popular Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Related Majors
One of 4 majors within the area of study, parks, recreation and leisure studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Parks & Rec
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Physical Education | 67,146 |
| Recreation Administration | 3,122 |
| Outdoor Education | 265 |
| Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 174 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.
- 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 the rest 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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