2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region
Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies School for You
Out of all the majors we analyze each year, parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies was ranked #15 in the country. In fact 73,813 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 58 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools in the Plains States Region
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
Our 2023 rankings named Maryville University of Saint Louis the best school in the Plains States Region for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville U is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Maryville U take out is $21,000.
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The excellent programs at South Dakota State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the remote town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public school with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at South Dakota State accumulate an average of around $24,907 in student debt.
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Out of the 58 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Cloud State University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public school with a large student population.
While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at St. Cloud State University accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Cloud State University Report
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dickinson State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region list. DSU is a small public school located in the remote town of Dickinson.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Dickinson State University
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Simpson College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region list. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the fringe town of Indianola.
Parks & Rec majors at Simpson College take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Simpson College Report
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Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region list. Gustavus Adolphus is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Gustavus Adolphus take out is $27,000.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College
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Winona State University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Winona State take out is $25,724. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $259.
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Cornell College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region list. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon.
The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Cornell College take out is $27,000.
Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cornell College Report
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Northwestern College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region list. NWC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City.
After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from NWC carry an average student debtload of $27,000.
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North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in the city of Fargo.
Parks & Rec majors at North Dakota State University take out an average of $23,990 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request InformationBest Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges by State
Explore the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 710 |
| Minnesota | 1,139 |
| Iowa | 1,491 |
| South Dakota | 342 |
| Missouri | 1,342 |
| Nebraska | 429 |
| North Dakota | 266 |
More Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Rankings in the Plains States Region
Rankings in Majors Related to Parks & Rec
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 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| 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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