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Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region

155 Colleges
$32,393 Avg Salary
$22,734 Avg Student Debt

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

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the #15 most popular major in the country with 73,813 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 155 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular 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.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for parks and rec majors pursuing a .

Our analysis found Texas A&M University - College Station to be the most popular school for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students who want to pursue a degree in the Southwest Region . Located in the midsize city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Parks & Rec majors at Texas A&M College Station take out an average of $19,500 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $345.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas A&M University - College Station

#2

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at Texas State take out is $22,688. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $289, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region list. UTSA is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at UTSA accumulate an average of around $23,718 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $126, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#4

University of Houston

Houston, TX

The excellent programs at University of Houston helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools in the Southwest Region . Located in the city of Houston, UH is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UH carry an average student debt load of $22,250. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $205, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a great place for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. UT Rio Grande Valley is a fairly large public school located in the city of Edinburg.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UT Rio Grande Valley take out is $17,000.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #6 on the list. ASU - Tempe is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Tempe.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at ASU - Tempe take out is $23,467. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $453.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Arizona State University - Tempe

University of North Texas landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the city of Denton, UNT is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Parks & Rec majors at UNT take out an average of $25,727 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $242.

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

#8

Bryan University

Tempe, AZ

With a ranking of #8, Bryan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the midsize city of Tempe, Bryan University is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Bryan University take out $16,223 in student loans while working on their degree.

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The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #9 on the list. UT Austin is a very large public school located in the large city of Austin.

Parks & Rec majors at UT Austin take out an average of $21,765 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $385, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Texas at Austin Report

#10

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX

With a ranking of #10, Tarleton State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Tarleton is a large public school located in the remote town of Stephenville.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from Tarleton carry an average student debt load of $23,250. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $152.

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#11

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Grand Canyon University take out $26,999 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $233.

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

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. UT Arlington is a fairly large public school located in the city of Arlington.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from UT Arlington carry an average student debt load of $20,930. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $124.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UTEP is a fairly large public school located in the large city of El Paso.

Parks & Rec majors at UTEP take out an average of $20,934 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#14

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the small city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, parks and rec graduates from NAU carry an average student debt load of $23,281. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $264, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

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Stephen F Austin State University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. SFASU is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at SFASU accumulate an average of around $25,652 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $303.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Stephen F Austin State University Report

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the suburb of Norman, University of Oklahoma is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from University of Oklahoma take out $24,125 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $585, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

With a ranking of #18, Texas Woman’s University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Located in the medium-sized city of Denton, TWU is a public college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at TWU accumulate an average of around $21,500 in student debt.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas Woman’s University Report

#19

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX

With a ranking of #19, Sam Houston State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. SHSU is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Huntsville.

Parks & Rec majors at SHSU take out an average of $23,125 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $177, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

#20

Baylor University

Waco, TX

Baylor University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Baylor is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Waco.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Baylor accumulate an average of around $26,964 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $947, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a public college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Texas A&M Corpus Christi accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $301, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A&M Commerce is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Texas A&M Commerce take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $170, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. OSU is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Stillwater.

Parks & Rec majors at OSU take out an average of $22,206 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness students in the Southwest Region that almost earned our Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in the Southwest Region award.

Rank College Location
24 Angelo State University San Angelo, TX
25 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX
25 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
27 Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, TX
28 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
29 Rice University Houston, TX
30 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
31 East Central University Ada, OK

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

Explore the best parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies schools for a specific state in the Southwest region.

State Degrees Awarded
Arizona 1,071
Texas 7,380
New Mexico 141
Oklahoma 1,179

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 26 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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