by our College Data Analytics TeamPeople who work hard also like to play hard. Students who study Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness learn how to provide fun and healthy experiences for busy individuals. If you enjoy the great outdoors, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and interacting with people this could be a great field for you.
While you may decide to major in General Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies, you also have the option to specialize in specific areas. Students interested in the business and administration side of recreation may be interested in Recreation Administration; those who seek to improve the health of others can pursue Health and Physical Education/Fitness; and those who have a passion for nature can major in Outdoor Education. Each of these majors allows for a career in a specific niche of recreation and leisure and gives professionals the ability to work closely with the general public.
Depending on the area of expertise you choose, you will take a variety of classes from business administration, marketing, and finance to environmental studies, kinesiology, nutrition, and physiology. No matter what you decide to specialize in, your major will prepare you for a rewarding career helping people get away from the stresses of everyday life.
In 2021-2022, parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies was the 15th most popular major nationwide with 72,741 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Schools ranking analyzes 517 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of parks & rec programs later in this article.
Students who receive degrees in the numerous Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies areas of specialization often work in careers that provide services to others. This places a strong emphasis on interpersonal and customer relation skills. You must be able to listen to what the customer wants help them find a service that fits their needs. Students in this field also have strong organizational skills as they are often working on multiple projects at once or need to lead multiple teams.
Many employers value work experience. Students should try to find work in their field of interest during summer breaks. This will allow you to better the intricacies of the field and move into higher positions of management.
parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies program qualifications, to serve in some parks & rec careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Parks & Rec degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies to something that takes less time like a . The type of parks & rec degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to parks & rec, with approximately 33.5% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for parks & rec workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 34.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 20.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.0% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 7.5% |
| High School Diploma | 7.2% |
Most workers in parks & rec have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies have received.
This of course varies depending on which parks & rec career you choose.
There are many different career opportunities available to students who have a degree in Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies. Some graduates go to work at gyms or recreation centers while other find jobs in national parks or resorts. There are a variety of recreation and leisure activities, which allows graduates to find many unique jobs working both indoors and outdoors.
Want a job when you graduate with your parks & rec degree? Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies careers are expected to grow 9.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 2,468,300 | 9.1% |
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors | 329,200 | 10.0% |
| Coaches and Scouts | 311,700 | 12.9% |
| Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Supervisors | 198,600 | 11.4% |
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $33,998 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $11,749 to as high as $77,396. As you might expect, salaries for parks & rec graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers parks & rec grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $123,880 |
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $87,030 |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Professors | $72,190 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $54,760 |
With over 3,850 different parks & rec degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased parks & rec school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Physical Education | 66,552 |
| Recreation Administration | 2,826 |
| Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 2,818 |
| Outdoor Education | 313 |
| Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies | 232 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration & Social Service | 97,584 |
Image Credit: By NPS Photo/Zurbuch under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
