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Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Florida

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2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Florida

25 Colleges
$30,773 Avg Salary
$21,713 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for You

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the #18 most popular major in Florida with 2,340 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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.

The Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Florida ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Florida to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in Florida

Check out the parks and rec programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

Our analysis found University of Florida to be the best school for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who want to pursue a degree in Florida. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UF accumulate an average of around $17,586 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $239.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Florida

#2

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL

Out of the 25 schools in Florida that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida-Online landed the # 2 spot on the list. UF Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville.

Parks & Rec majors at UF Online take out an average of $19,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $239.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Florida International University is a great place for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. FIU is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Miami.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from FIU carry an average student debtload of $20,928.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida International University

#4

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of North Florida is a great place for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the large city of Jacksonville, UNF is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UNF carry an average student debtload of $17,200.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of North Florida Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Florida list. UCF is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Orlando.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Central Florida Report

#6

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. U Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Coral Gables.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at U Miami take out is $20,250.

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#7

Flagler College - St Augustine

Saint Augustine, FL

With a ranking of #7, Flagler College - St Augustine did quite well on this year’s best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Flagler St. Augustine is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small suburb of Saint Augustine.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Flagler St. Augustine accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Flagler College - St Augustine Report

#8

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #8 on the list. Florida State is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee.

Parks & Rec majors at Florida State take out an average of $21,916 in student loans while working on their egree.

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University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Florida list. Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public school with a very large student population.

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#10

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL

With a ranking of #10, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on this year’s best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, FGCU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Parks & Rec majors at FGCU take out an average of $18,625 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University Report

Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 3,436
West Virginia 1,238
South Carolina 1,339
Virginia 1,729
Arkansas 1,012
Mississippi 1,128
Tennessee 2,462
Louisiana 703
Alabama 959
Kentucky 1,141
Georgia 1,981

Parks & Rec Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Health & Physical Education 67,146
Recreation Administration 3,122
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 3,106
Outdoor Education 265
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 174

Related Major Annual Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting 142,610
Public Administration & Social Service 98,583
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NPS Photo/Zurbuch.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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