2026 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Parks Recreation Fitness master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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 compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign to be the best Parks Recreation Fitness school in the United States. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $21,480. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
The strong Parks Recreation Fitness programs at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Get the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania report
The strong Parks Recreation Fitness programs at South Dakota State University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. South Dakota State University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $25,419 in debt. Read the full report on South Dakota State University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on this year's Parks Recreation Fitness ranking in the United States. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $23,258. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
You'll be in good company at Northwestern University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
Saint Cloud State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Saint Cloud, MN. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,245. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $23,250. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $21,300 in student loans. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
American Public University System ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Set in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. American Public University System graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,400. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $19,312. See the full American Public University System profile
University Of Arkansas did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $24,516 in student loans. Read more about University Of Arkansas
Southern Methodist University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,475 in student loans. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $20,414 in debt. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Concordia University Irvine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $27,000. See the full Concordia University Irvine profile
Georgetown University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full Georgetown University profile
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #15 position. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public school based in River Falls, WI. University Of Wisconsin River Falls posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls profile
University Of Florida placed #16 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $19,707. More on University Of Florida
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,064 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #18 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winona Lake, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $23,250. Read more about Grace College And Theological Seminary
Concordia University Seward did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Seward, NE, Concordia University Seward is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,640. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $27,000. Read more about Concordia University Seward
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #21 in this year's ranking. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $16,575. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Iowa State University landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,425 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of Iowa ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,863 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read more about University Of Iowa
United States Sports Academy placed #24 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in Daphne, AL, United States Sports Academy is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,700. Read the full report on United States Sports Academy
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $16,658. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Parks Recreation Fitness Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Valparaiso University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $27,000. See the full Valparaiso University profile
Eastern Washington University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $21,384. More on Eastern Washington University
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $26,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Ohio University Main Campus placed #29 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. This public school is set in Athens, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
Ashland University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Ashland, OH, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Ashland University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Ashland University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $24,536 in debt. Read more about Ashland University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Amherst, MA. University Of Massachusetts Amherst posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $26,227. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Florida International University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Florida International University
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #33 position. This public school is set in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Get the full George Mason University report
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. About 87% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans. See the full Clemson University profile
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. The median Parks Recreation Fitness program debt is $19,660. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #36 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,250. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $22,542. More on Point Loma Nazarene University
University Of San Francisco ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,522. University Of San Francisco Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $24,905 in debt. Read more about University Of San Francisco
James Madison University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $21,500. Read the full report on James Madison University
Mount St Marys University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Set in Emmitsburg, MD, Mount St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $48,630. Students borrow a median of $23,539 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Get the full Mount St Marys University report
Tarleton State University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Tarleton State University is a public school based in Stephenville, TX. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Parks Recreation Fitness program here. Read more about Tarleton State University
Minot State University did well this year, earning the #41 position. This public school is set in Minot, ND. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $25,788. Get the full Minot State University report
Baylor University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $26,997. Get the full Baylor University report
Wake Forest University placed #43 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Wake Forest University Parks Recreation Fitness students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. More on Wake Forest University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Parks Recreation Fitness schools. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $22,361. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Seattle University placed #45 among Parks Recreation Fitness schools in the United States. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. Seattle University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Graduates carry a median of $17,494 in student loans. Read the full report on Seattle University
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical Parks Recreation Fitness student debt is $23,138. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
West Texas A And M University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in Canyon, TX, West Texas A And M University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read the full report on West Texas A And M University
Gonzaga University landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Get the full Gonzaga University report
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
University Of Miami came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Coral Gables, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Miami profile
Related Parks Recreation Fitness Rankings
Explore 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 Doctoral 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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