2026 Best Recreation Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Recreation Administration bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 171 colleges 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent 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. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Recreation Administration students take on a median of $18,606 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Florida
A rank of #2 makes South Dakota State University one of the top choices in the United States. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $25,093 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Get the full South Dakota State University report
You'll be in good company at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Saint Cloud State University report
Out of the 171 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Clemson University landed the #4 spot. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $22,592 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. See the full Clemson University profile
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #5 on this year's Recreation Administration ranking in the United States. Located in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
Illinois State University placed #6 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Illinois State University is a public school based in Normal, IL. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Read more about Illinois State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Kansas State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Kansas State University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read the full report on Kansas State University
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Based in Greeley, CO, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full University Of Northern Colorado profile
Johnson And Wales University Online came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Johnson And Wales University Online is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,365. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Online
Saint Josephs College New York placed #11 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Get the full Saint Josephs College New York report
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in Slippery Rock, PA. About 66% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Florida International University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Get the full Florida International University report
Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Weatherford, OK, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates 41% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $19,757. Get the full Southwestern Oklahoma State University report
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #15 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public school based in La Crosse, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $22,005. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington Recreation Administration students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. More on University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Eastern Illinois University placed #17 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Set in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $22,500. More on Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Washington University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Eastern Washington University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $21,384 in debt. Get the full Eastern Washington University report
Baldwin Wallace College placed #19 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Berea, OH. Baldwin Wallace College graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,832. Baldwin Wallace College Recreation Administration students take on a median of $27,307 in debt. Read the full report on Baldwin Wallace College
Old Dominion University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Old Dominion University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Old Dominion University profile
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte did well this year, earning the #21 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Charlotte, NC. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $41,982. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Johnson And Wales University Charlotte profile
University Of St Francis landed the #22 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. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. See the full University Of St Francis profile
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Durham, NH, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 more about University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
University Of North Texas did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read more about University Of North Texas
Texas State University San Marcos placed #25 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Set in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $23,000. Read more about Texas State University San Marcos
Rest of the Top 50 Best Recreation Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Johnson And Wales University Providence ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Based in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Providence
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $19,628. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Western Illinois University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Get the full Western Illinois University report
Missouri Western State University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Missouri Western State University is a public school based in Saint Joseph, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Get the full Missouri Western State University report
Florida State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $20,488. See the full Florida State University profile
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Located 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 run about $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Michigan State University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $24,939. Get the full Michigan State University report
Kean University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. This public school is set in Union, NJ. Kean University graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $27,625. Get the full Kean University report
Middle Tennessee State University placed #34 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Middle Tennessee State University is a public school based in Murfreesboro, TN. Middle Tennessee State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $28,545. Read more about Middle Tennessee State University
Ball State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. Read more about Ball State University
Trine University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Angola, IN, Trine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Trine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,560. The median Recreation Administration program debt is $25,765. Get the full Trine University report
Suny College At Brockport placed #38 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Set in Brockport, NY, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. Suny College At Brockport graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. See the full Suny College At Brockport profile
Indiana State University placed #39 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Based in Terre Haute, IN, Indiana State University is a public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Indiana State University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read the full report on Indiana State University
University Of Idaho ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. University Of Idaho graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $23,844. Get the full University Of Idaho report
Western Michigan University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Western Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 did well this year, earning the #42 position. Set in Edmond, OK, University Of Central Oklahoma is a public institution. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates 37% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $23,321. Read more about University Of Central Oklahoma
University Of West Georgia landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Carrollton, GA, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $28,750. Read more about University Of West Georgia
Central Washington University placed #45 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Set in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. Central Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Central Washington University Recreation Administration students take on a median of $23,333 in debt. See the full Central Washington University profile
Springfield College placed #46 among Recreation Administration schools in the United States. Set in Springfield, MA, Springfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. Springfield College graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete their Recreation Administration program here. More on Springfield College
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in New Haven, CT, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about Southern Connecticut State University
Western Kentucky University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Recreation Administration schools. Set in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical Recreation Administration student debt is $26,000. Read more about Western Kentucky University
Appalachian State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Appalachian State University is a public school based in Boone, NC. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Graduates carry a median of $19,706 in student loans. More on Appalachian State University
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in University, MS, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. University Of Mississippi Main Campus Recreation Administration students take on a median of $22,213 in debt. Read more about University Of Mississippi Main Campus
Kent State University At Kent came in at #51 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Kent, OH. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,074 in student loans. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
Suny College At Cortland came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Suny College At Cortland is a public school based in Cortland, NY. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,874 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. More on Suny College At Cortland
Related Recreation Administration Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Recreation Administration Schools (All Levels)
- Best Recreation Administration Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Recreation Administration Associate’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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