2026 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Parks Recreation Fitness graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1489 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
American Public University System earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $19,312. Read more about American Public University System
Winona State University came in at #2 on this year's Parks Recreation Fitness ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Winona, MN. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $25,431. Get the full Winona State University report
Out of the 1489 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Charleston, SC. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $22,250. Get the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina report
A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top choices in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #5 on this year's Parks Recreation Fitness ranking in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,300 in student loans. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Shenandoah University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winchester, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,950. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $27,000. Read more about Shenandoah University
Drexel University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Drexel University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $27,672 in debt. Get the full Drexel University report
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans. Get the full Clemson University report
University Of Iowa landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,863 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. More on University Of Iowa
University Of Florida landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $19,707. Get the full University Of Florida report
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Kentucky placed #12 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. University Of Kentucky Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $23,000. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. About 58% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Concordia University Chicago did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full Concordia University Chicago profile
Western Kentucky University placed #16 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $24,874. Read the full report on Western Kentucky University
Miami University Oxford came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Oxford, OH. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read the full report on Miami University Oxford
California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $14,550. More on California State University Long Beach
University Of Connecticut came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $23,125. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
National University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,284. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $30,426. Get the full National University report
East Carolina University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Greenville, NC. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Get the full East Carolina University report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Read the full report on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of North Florida came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Jacksonville, FL, University Of North Florida is a public institution. University Of North Florida graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Florida
Central Michigan University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Central Michigan University is a public school based in Mount Pleasant, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Central Michigan University report
Georgia Southern University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Set in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Georgia Southern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,327 in student loans. Read the full report on Georgia Southern University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Wright State University Main Campus graduates 42% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $28,250. Read more about Wright State University Main Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,176 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Belhaven University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Located in Jackson, MS, Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. More on Belhaven University
Missouri Baptist University placed #30 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. More on Missouri Baptist University
Liberty University placed #30 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. Liberty University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $25,645 in student loans. See the full Liberty University profile
Salem State University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in Salem, MA, Salem State University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Salem State University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Salem State University
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in Hattiesburg, MS. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $23,924 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
Plymouth State University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Plymouth State University is a public school based in Plymouth, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $27,000. See the full Plymouth State University profile
University Of Memphis placed #35 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read the full report on University Of Memphis
East Tennessee State University placed #36 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. East Tennessee State University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $22,036 in debt. More on East Tennessee State University
Glendale Community College Glendale Az did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Mcneese State University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. More on Mcneese State University
Norfolk State University placed #38 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. See the full Norfolk State University profile
Saint Mary Of The Woods College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Saint Mary Of The Woods College
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Get the full West Virginia University Institute Of Technology report
Desales University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Read more about Desales University
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. More on Saginaw Valley State University
Washington Adventist University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read more about Washington Adventist University
Columbia Southern University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. More on Columbia Southern University
Frederick Community College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Get the full Frederick Community College report
Grossmont College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Get the full Grossmont College report
Southern Connecticut State University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Southern Connecticut State University
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi placed #48 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Read more about Suny College Of Technology At Delhi
Columbus State Community College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Columbus State Community College report
Emmanuel College Georgia came in at #50 in this year's ranking. More on Emmanuel College Georgia
Related Parks Recreation Fitness Rankings
See rankings for 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 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. The methodology weighs 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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