Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

132 Colleges
$28,979 Avg Salary
$24,973 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Bachelor's Degree 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.

The Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 132 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies program at each school on the list.

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

#1

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

Our 2023 rankings named University of Iowa the most popular school in the Plains States Region for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Iowa is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Iowa City.

About 59% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 41% are male.

Read More…

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Iowa State University is a great place for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public school with a very large student population.

About 60% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 40% are male.

Read More…

#3

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

Out of the 132 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Kansas landed the # 3 spot on the list. KU is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence.

Women make up 48% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public school with a large student population.

About 43% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 57% are male.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Minnesota State University - Mankato

Out of the 132 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri State University - Springfield landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Springfield, Missouri State is a public school with a very large student population.

Women make up 66% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

Read More…

#6

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. SLU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis.

Women make up 73% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Louis University Report

Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul.

Of the 119 students majoring in parks and rec at Concordia University, Saint Paul, 61% are male and 39% are female.

Read More…

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 25% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 75% are male.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia Report

#9

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNI is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Cedar Falls.

About 57% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 43% are male.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Northern Iowa Report

#10

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO

With a ranking of #10, Lindenwood University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

About 45% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 55% are male.

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

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMN Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis.

Women make up 28% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

Read More…

#12

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Women make up 74% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

Read More…

#13

Truman State University

Kirksville, MO

Truman State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the remote town of Kirksville, Truman State is a public school with a small student population.

Women make up 52% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Truman State University Report

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. North Dakota State University is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.

Women make up 32% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

Read More…

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNK is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney.

About 49% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 51% are male.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Nebraska at Kearney Report

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Duluth, UMN Duluth is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Women make up 59% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Minnesota - Duluth Report

#17

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, MO

University of Central Missouri ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. UCM is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg.

About 36% of the students majoring in parks and rec at the school are women while 64% are male.

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

#18

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. St. Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport.

Of the 69 students majoring in parks and rec at St. Ambrose University, 52% are male and 48% are female.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Saint Ambrose University Report

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the large city of Omaha, UNOMAHA is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 56% of the parks and rec majors at the school.

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

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
20 Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO
21 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
22 Grand View University Des Moines, IA
23 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
24 Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN
24 Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN
26 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO

Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best 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

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.

  • 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.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.