2026 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Parks Recreation Fitness certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1489 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 Fitness Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Focus Personal Training Institute to be the best Parks Recreation Fitness school in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Focus Personal Training Institute is a private for-profit institution. Focus Personal Training Institute Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $6,333 in debt. Get the full Focus Personal Training Institute report
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top choices in the United States. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $20,414. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Dickinson State University came in at #3 on this year's Parks Recreation Fitness ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Dickinson, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $27,266. Read the full report on Dickinson State University
The strong Parks Recreation Fitness programs at Pittsburg State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. Pittsburg State University graduates 51% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Graduates carry a median of $24,758 in student loans. Get the full Pittsburg State University report
The strong Parks Recreation Fitness programs at University Of Florida earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $19,707. Read more about University Of Florida
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $19,660 in debt. More on Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #9 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,200 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point report
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
Temple University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $26,000. More on Temple University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $24,160. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Grand Valley State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,300 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read the full report on Grand Valley State University
Northern Arizona University placed #14 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $19,700. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
University Of Idaho landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. University Of Idaho Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Idaho
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read more about Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Lewis Clark State College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Lewiston, ID, Lewis Clark State College is a public institution. Lewis Clark State College posts a six-year graduation rate of 32%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans. Get the full Lewis Clark State College report
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. This public school is set in Akron, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $31,000. See the full University Of Akron Main Campus profile
Boise State University did well this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Boise, ID. About 59% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Boise State University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $22,524 in debt. See the full Boise State University profile
Black Hills State University placed #20 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Black Hills State University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $24,000 in debt. Get the full Black Hills State University report
National Personal Training Institute Tampa did well this year, earning the #21 position. National Personal Training Institute Tampa is a private for-profit school based in Tampa, FL. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $6,333. Read the full report on National Personal Training Institute Tampa
National Personal Training Institute Winter Park did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Orlando, FL, National Personal Training Institute Winter Park is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. See the full National Personal Training Institute Winter Park profile
University Of South Alabama landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. University Of South Alabama is a public school based in Mobile, AL. University Of South Alabama graduates 52% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Get the full University Of South Alabama report
Mt San Antonio College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Located in Walnut, CA, Mt San Antonio College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $6,865 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. More on Mt San Antonio College
South Texas College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in McAllen, TX, South Texas College is a public institution. South Texas College posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $4,500. Read the full report on South Texas College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Atlanta Technical College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. See the full Atlanta Technical College profile
Mercer University placed #27 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Get the full Mercer University report
Merritt College
Merritt College did well this year, earning the #28 position. More on Merritt College
Northwestern University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. See the full Northwestern University profile
Southern Union State Community College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full Southern Union State Community College report
Bay Mills Community College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. See the full Bay Mills Community College profile
Finger Lakes Community College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Finger Lakes Community College
Kansas Wesleyan University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. More on Kansas Wesleyan University
Lees Mcrae College did well this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Lees Mcrae College report
Mohawk Valley Community College placed #35 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Read the full report on Mohawk Valley Community College
Palo Verde College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. More on Palo Verde College
Santiago Canyon College placed #37 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Get the full Santiago Canyon College report
Truckee Meadows Community College placed #38 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Get the full Truckee Meadows Community College report
Universidad Del Este did well this year, earning the #39 position. More on Universidad Del Este
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #40 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. See the full University Of Wisconsin Platteville profile
Valparaiso University did well this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Valparaiso University profile
Cleveland State University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. See the full Cleveland State University profile
Coastline Community College did well this year, earning the #44 position. See the full Coastline Community College profile
Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read more about Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester
Manchester College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Manchester College
Ursuline College
Ursuline College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Get the full Ursuline College report
California State University Long Beach ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. More on California State University Long Beach
Goldey Beacom College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. More on Goldey Beacom College
Holyoke Community College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Holyoke Community College
Related Parks Recreation Fitness Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Schools (All Levels)
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness 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 1489 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).