Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Iowa

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Iowa

27 Colleges
$31,634 Avg Salary
$25,812 Avg Student Debt

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

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is one of the most popular subjects to study in Iowa. With 1,491 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, it ranked 8th out of all the majors we track in the state.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Schools in Iowa ranking. This report analyzed 27 schools in Iowa 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 following schools top our list of the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges.

#1

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

Our 2023 rankings named University of Iowa the most popular school in Iowa for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. Iowa is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Iowa City.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Iowa take out $23,417 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $409, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

The excellent programs at Iowa 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 Iowa. Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at Iowa State accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $215, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Northern Iowa is a great place for parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies students. UNI is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Cedar Falls.

The average amount in student loans that parks and rec majors at UNI take out is $23,610. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $185.

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

#4

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA

Out of the 27 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Ambrose University landed the # 4 spot on the list. St. Ambrose University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Davenport.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at St. Ambrose University accumulate an average of around $26,373 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $282.

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

#5

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, IA

Out of the 27 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, William Penn University landed the # 5 spot on the list. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa.

While working on their degree, parks and rec majors at William Penn University accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $187, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at William Penn University Report

#6

Grand View University

Des Moines, IA

With a ranking of #6, Grand View 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 Des Moines, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Grand View University take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $182, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Grand View University Report

#7

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa 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 #7 on the list. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette.

Parks & Rec majors at UIU take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#8

Loras College

Dubuque, IA

Loras College 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 #8 on the list. Loras is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Dubuque.

Parks & Rec majors at Loras take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Loras College Report

#9

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Located in the city of Dubuque, UD is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, parks and rec graduates from UD take out $27,280 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

#10

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies programs. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the fringe town of Mount Vernon.

On average, parks and rec graduates from Cornell College take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Cornell College Report

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

Explore all the Most Popular Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Colleges in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 710
Minnesota 1,139
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.