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Most Popular Online Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region

16 Colleges
$31,332 Avg Salary
$25,331 Avg Student Debt

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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Online Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 16 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones were the most popular online programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Check out the online parks and rec programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Plains States Region .

#1

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

Our analysis found University of Kansas to be the most popular school for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who want to pursue an online degree in the Plains States Region . KU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Lawrence.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at KU take out is $21,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $454, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville U is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Maryville U take out is $21,000.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Maryville University of Saint Louis

#3

Bellevue University

Bellevue, NE

Out of the 16 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Bellevue University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Bellevue.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Bellevue University accumulate an average of around $25,827 in student debt.

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

Out of the 16 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri State University - Springfield landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Springfield, Missouri State is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Missouri State take out is $23,293. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $107.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield Report

#5

Park University

Parkville, MO

The excellent online programs at Park University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the large suburb of Parkville, Park University is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Park University Report

Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Online Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the distant town of Fayette, CMU CGES is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies

#7

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND

Lake Region State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #7 on the list. Lake Region State College is a small public school located in the remote town of Devils Lake.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lake Region State College Report

#8

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS

With a ranking of #8, Pittsburg State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Pitt State is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Pittsburg.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Pittsburg State University

Winona State University landed the #9 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 college 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.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Winona State University

#9

Waldorf University

Forest City, IA

Waldorf University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the town of Forest City, Waldorf is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Waldorf University Report

Explore the most popular online parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies colleges 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

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 16 schools only.

  • 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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