2026 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Parks Recreation Fitness doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1489 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Clemson University this year in the United States. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans. Read the full report on Clemson University
Out of the 1489 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #2 spot. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $21,300 in debt. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $19,135 in debt. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
The strong Parks Recreation Fitness programs at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
You'll be in good company at United States Sports Academy, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Daphne, AL, United States Sports Academy is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,700. Read the full report on United States Sports Academy
Texas A And M University College Station placed #6 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $20,414. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bloomington, IN. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,660 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #8 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read more about University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Northern Iowa placed #9 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school based in Cedar Falls, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,538 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Get the full University Of Northern Iowa report
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,425 in student loans. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $21,480. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $26,000. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #13 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Iowa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $23,863. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #15 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $21,526 in debt. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
Concordia University Chicago came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $26,166. More on Concordia University Chicago
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in College Park, MD. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $23,138 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $25,788. Read more about Michigan State University
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $20,500. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $25,661. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of Utah landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $19,594. See the full University Of Utah profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #22 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $26,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Georgia placed #23 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. University Of Georgia Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Baylor University placed #24 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waco, TX. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $26,997. Get the full Baylor University report
Temple University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Temple University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Get the full Temple University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Northern Colorado did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Greeley, CO, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. University Of Northern Colorado graduates 51% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $24,450. Read the full report on University Of Northern Colorado
University Of Arkansas landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. University Of Arkansas Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $24,516 in debt. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
University Of Houston did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. University Of Houston Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $22,298 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Houston
The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $21,500. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Florida State University did well this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $18,750. Get the full Florida State University report
Texas Womans University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in Denton, TX. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Texas Womans University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $20,167 in debt. Read more about Texas Womans University
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a public school based in Murfreesboro, TN. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $24,509. Read more about Middle Tennessee State University
University Of Kentucky placed #33 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $24,094. Read more about University Of Kentucky
Old Dominion University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. Read more about Old Dominion University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,176 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Oregon State University placed #36 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $24,155. More on Oregon State University
The University Of Texas At Arlington did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $19,023. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Rutgers University New Brunswick posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $26,000. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $25,027. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
West Virginia University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. West Virginia University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on West Virginia University
Mississippi State University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Set in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $25,000. Read more about Mississippi State University
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Provo, UT. Brigham Young University Provo posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,688. Graduates carry a median of $9,354 in student loans. More on Brigham Young University Provo
Springfield College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Springfield, MA, Springfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,974. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Springfield College
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #44 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. University Of Nevada Las Vegas Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $21,102 in debt. Get the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas report
Troy University placed #45 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Troy University is a public school based in Troy, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Troy University
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #46 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in University, MS, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. University Of Mississippi Main Campus Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $22,870 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University Of Toledo placed #47 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. University Of Toledo Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $22,797 in debt. Get the full University Of Toledo report
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school based in Boston, MA. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Boston
Georgia State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. More on Georgia State University
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a public school based in Hattiesburg, MS. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates 49% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $23,924 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read the full report on University Of Southern Mississippi
Related Parks Recreation Fitness Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Schools (All Levels)
- Best Parks Recreation Fitness Certificate Degree Schools
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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 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).
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