2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major
159
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When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major” ranking.
In 2021-2022, 2,818 people earned their degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies, making the major the 218th most popular in the United States.
For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major” ranking, we looked at 159 colleges that offer a degree in parks, recreation & leisure studies. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their parks, recreation & leisure studies program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major
The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major”.
Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Wesleyan University. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major. VWU is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 0 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Virginia Wesleyan University
Out of the 159 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Ferrum College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Ferrum, Virginia, and it awarded 6 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Ferrum College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Colorado University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Gunnison, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 20 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Western
Out of the 159 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Alaska Pacific University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Alaska Pacific University
Out of the 159 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 60 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. This small school is located in Paul Smiths, New York, and it awarded 12 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Paul Smith’s College
With a ranking of #7, Garrett College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Located in McHenry, Maryland, this small public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Garrett College
Shepherd University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking, coming in at #8. Shepherd University is located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 36 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Shepherd University
With a ranking of #9, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Kearney, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 53 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Nebraska at Kearney Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Gallaudet University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 0 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Gallaudet University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Houghton College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Located in Houghton, New York, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Houghton College Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Mars Hill University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. This small school is located in Mars Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 10 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Mars Hill
Grambling State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking, coming in at #13. GSU is located in Grambling, Louisiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 37 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.
Full GSU Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Shaw University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Shaw University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Shaw University
With a ranking of #15, Central State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Wilberforce, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Central State University
Butler County Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Butler County Community College is a small school located in Butler, Pennsylvania that handed out 14 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at BC3
Gordon College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. This small school is located in Wenham, Massachusetts, and it awarded 9 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Gordon College
With a ranking of #18, Newberry College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Located in Newberry, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Newberry College Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
California State University - Chico ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 103 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at California State University - Chico
Southern Oregon University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. Located in Ashland, Oregon, this medium-sized public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Southern Oregon University
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 95 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
With a ranking of #22, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 36 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UNI Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Radford, Virginia, this medium-sized public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Radford
Winona State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 35 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies at Winona State
Jacksonville State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major ranking. Jacksonville State University is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Alabama. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Jacksonville State University Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Report
