2026 Best Recreation Administration Schools
Looking for the best Recreation Administration programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 171 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Recreation Administration Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Florida to be the best Recreation Administration school in the United States. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $18,606. Read more about University Of Florida
The strong Recreation Administration programs at South Dakota State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. South Dakota State University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $25,093 in debt. Read the full report on South Dakota State University
A rank of #3 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the top choices in the United States. Saint Cloud State University is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Cloud State University
The strong Recreation Administration programs at Minnesota State University Mankato earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $27,000. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
The strong Recreation Administration programs at Illinois State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Normal, IL. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Illinois State University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. Read more about Illinois State University
University Of Arkansas placed #6 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Fayetteville, AR. University Of Arkansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. University Of Arkansas Recreation Administration students take on a median of $24,019 in debt. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
Clemson University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans. More on Clemson University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read the full report on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Kansas State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about Kansas State University
University Of Northern Colorado placed #11 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Greeley, CO. University Of Northern Colorado posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $24,250. Read more about University Of Northern Colorado
Johnson And Wales University Online ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,365. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $27,000. More on Johnson And Wales University Online
Saint Josephs College New York landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Josephs College New York graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,550. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $26,000. Get the full Saint Josephs College New York report
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. This public school is set in Weatherford, OK. About 41% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $19,757. Get the full Southwestern Oklahoma State University report
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington did well this year, earning the #15 position. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public school based in Wilmington, NC. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Florida International University did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Miami, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. See the full Florida International University profile
Eastern Illinois University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $22,500. More on Eastern Illinois University
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Graduates carry a median of $22,005 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin La Crosse profile
Eastern Washington University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. Eastern Washington University graduates 44% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,384 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. See the full Eastern Washington University profile
Baldwin Wallace College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Berea, OH, Baldwin Wallace College is a private not-for-profit institution. Baldwin Wallace College graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $27,307. See the full Baldwin Wallace College profile
Old Dominion University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Old Dominion University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $25,000. More on Old Dominion University
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,982. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Charlotte
University Of St Francis landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $25,695. Read the full report on University Of St Francis
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Durham, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus Recreation Administration students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. Johnson And Wales University Providence graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $27,000. Get the full Johnson And Wales University Providence report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Recreation Administration Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $19,628. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school based in San Marcos, TX. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $23,000. See the full Texas State University San Marcos profile
Missouri Western State University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Set in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. Missouri Western State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Get the full Missouri Western State University report
Florida State University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $20,488. More on Florida State University
University Of North Texas placed #31 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Set in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $26,000. More on University Of North Texas
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in East Stroudsburg, PA, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More on East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Michigan State University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,939 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. More on Michigan State University
Kean University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. Kean University graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Kean University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $27,625 in debt. Read more about Kean University
Western Kentucky University placed #36 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Based in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about Western Kentucky University
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,545 in student loans. See the full Middle Tennessee State University profile
Ball State University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Set in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. More on Ball State University
Trine University placed #40 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Trine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Angola, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,560. Students borrow a median of $25,765 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. More on Trine University
Suny College At Brockport ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Suny College At Brockport is a public school based in Brockport, NY. Suny College At Brockport posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about Suny College At Brockport
Indiana State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. This public school is set in Terre Haute, IN. Indiana State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read more about Indiana State University
Western Illinois University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $29,000. Get the full Western Illinois University report
University Of Idaho ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. University Of Idaho posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. University Of Idaho Recreation Administration students take on a median of $23,844 in debt. Get the full University Of Idaho report
Western Michigan University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Get the full Western Michigan University report
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #46 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Set in Edmond, OK, University Of Central Oklahoma is a public institution. University Of Central Oklahoma posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. University Of Central Oklahoma Recreation Administration students take on a median of $23,321 in debt. See the full University Of Central Oklahoma profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #47 position. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
University Of West Georgia ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. University Of West Georgia is a public school based in Carrollton, GA. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $28,750. More on University Of West Georgia
Central Michigan University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. See the full Central Michigan University profile
Central Washington University did well this year, earning the #51 position. Located in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Graduates carry a median of $23,333 in student loans. More on Central Washington University
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Located in New Haven, CT, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Southern Connecticut State University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on Southern Connecticut State University
Springfield College placed #53 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Based in Springfield, MA, Springfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read the full report on Springfield College
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #54 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $24,977. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Best Recreation Administration Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Recreation Administration Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 171 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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